Suicide Intervention Plan
Suicide Intervention Plan Assignment
Ashley Sapp
School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University
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Author Note
Ashley Sapp
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose. Correspondence concerning this article
should be addressed to Ashley Sapp.
Email: asapp11@liberty.edu
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Presenting Problem
The presenting problem in this scenario appears to be Joanne’s mental health crisis. Her
unexpected visit, her admission of appreciation and the mention of having a gun in her car are
great indications of acute emotional distress. With her history of depression, multiple prior
suicide attempts and non-compliance with medication increases the complexity of this scenario.
Joanne runs a risk to herself, and others, so immediate intervention response should be required
to ensure her safety and adequate mental health support.
Precipitating Event
The precipitating event in this scenario would be Joanne’s unexpected visit to the clinical
counseling office. During this visit to the office Joanne admits to having a gun in her vehicle.
The client is not compliant with her medication. The client has also had past suicide attempts
including two overdoses and the attempts to slice her wrists. and She has an extremely
demanding job which is stressful, yet it is her main source of fulfillment. Joanne had been
divorced for about ten years when her ex-husband admitted being homosexual, and she has not
had any new partners since that separation. However, she had an affair with her sister’s husband
for about a year (seven years ago) and since she ended that affair, he has constantly been trying
to pursue Joanne. His constant pursuit adds to her stress levels as she already feels guilty about
the affair.
Risk Factors
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Lengthy history of depression
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Numerous attempts at suicide
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High stress career with long hours
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Not much social support and time for hobbies
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Extramarital affair with the spouse of her sister
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Mother to a child in her early teenage years
Additional Risk Factors
Gender: When considering fatalities in correlation to suicide, men are more likely to die in that
manner. Women are more likely to attempt suicide by using less immediate methods such as self-
harm or overdosing (Kushner, 2019).
Age: Adults aged 45-64 have the highest rates of suicide. (National Institute of Mental Health,
2021).
Marital Status: Compared to married or single adults, those that are divorced are at a higher risk
of suicide (Akbarizadeh, Hajivandi, Hajivandi, & Zeidabadinejad, 2019).
Resources and Protective Factors
Material Resources
Joanne’s job grants her financial stability even though it keeps her in a highly stressful
environment. Recommending stress management programs can make the client feel supported
and improve her mental health by offering healthy coping strategies. Career counseling could
also aid in her process of finding a different career that allows her financial stability while still
making her feel fulfilled personally. Her community may have programs or other community
resources that provide financial aid to those with mental health issues; Joanne would most likely
be eligible since she cares for her young daughter.
Personal Resources
The client’s appreciation for her counselor seems like an indication of her feeling support
in that relationship. Although this situation is dangerous and intense, the continuation of
counseling may help her improve her self-esteem. Prioritizing self-care to maintain her physical
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and emotional well-being. Engage in activities that bring her joy, exercising regularly, and
practicing stress management techniques.
Social Resources
Peer support groups or even a different type of therapy (family therapy or group) can
grow her sense of feeling supported through adversity. Divorce support groups can offer
emotional and practical advice as well as improving her parenting abilities. Joanne should be
encouraged to socialize with new peers, allowing her to establish her sense of belonging.
Community Resources
Referring Joanne to emergency mental health services can give her immediate support.
She should also be aiming to be a part of religious organizations, LGBTQIA+ support groups (to
be provided understanding about her husband’s sexual orientation), and other group-oriented
activities to provide her with encouragement.
Spirituality
Ethical Considerations
Joanne has admitted to having a gun and expressed a desire to "just go for a drive."
There is a significant risk of harm to herself, and possibly others. Mental health professionals
have a duty to protect their clients from harm, which may include involving law enforcement or
emergency services to ensure her safety. This could also include using discernment to enforce
actions that may prevent suicide; including suicide risk assessments, developing a suicide
intervention plan and any appropriate referrals to mental health professionals to include the use
of medications. Spirituality can play a significant role for Joanne, particularly in the context of
her complex emotional hardships. Religious and spiritual factors such as devotion to higher
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power and frequent participation in religious activities were credited to lower suicidal ideations
(Kondrath, 2022).
Spiritual Considerations
Spirituality can allow clients to find a sense of purpose and meaning in life. It may offer a
framework for understanding the challenges that individuals endure and, in this case, it may
allow Joanne to feel a deeper sense of fulfillment beyond her stressful job. Professionals should
foster a non-judgmental environment while allowing clients to explore which values and beliefs
work most efficiently for them, to then integrate these chosen beliefs into treatment. Research
indicates that those with a higher sense of spiritual incorporation in their daily lives may have a
lower risk of suicidal ideation (Fukai, 2020). Additionally, integrating spirituality into her life
should not replace professional mental health treatment, but rather complement it as part of a
holistic approach to her well-being.
Interventions
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The development of a safety plan that ensures the safety of Joanne and any other
involved. Hospitalization may be emphasized to ensure the safety of the public, clients,
and professionals.
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Identify sources of social support
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Encourage Joanne to contact a suicide hotline or crisis center for support.
Treatment Plan: Goals and Interventions
Problem 1 (Mental): Joanne has a guilty conscience in relation to her short-lived affair with her
brother-in-law.
Goal 1: To help Joanne gain insight into how her past traumatic experiences have
affected her emotional well-being and relationships.
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Objective 1: Joanne will practice coping skills to decrease her guilt and frequent
rumination about the affair.
Intervention 1: The counselor will support the client in identifying and
implementing healthy coping skills that will allow Joanne to process the impact of this event on
her emotional well-being and relationships.
Problem 2 (Physical): Joanne is noncompliant with her medication.
Goal 1: The client will adhere to her medication, decreasing the pattern of
noncompliance.
Objective 1: The client will be consistent in her medication routine and upkeep.
Intervention 1: The professional would aid Joanne in the implementation
of a consistent routine for the punctuation of her medication.
Problem 3 (Emotional): Joanne actively endures chronic depression.
Goal 1: Joanne will receive proper treatment to decrease the severity of her depression
and improve her overall mental health.
Objective 1: The client will be able to identify the negative thought patterns.
Intervention 1: Joanne will understand cognitive restructuring skills to
improve her thought pattern.
Problem 4 (Social): Joanne immensely lacks social support.
Goal 1: The client will increase her social activities and participation to grow a support
system.
Objective 1: Joanne will partake in activities that support her in a social aspect, in
a healthy manner.
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Intervention 1: The counselor can assist Joanne with finding potential
hobbies and activities that spark her interest.
Problem 1 (Spiritual): Joanne does not cater to her spiritual needs and exploration.
Goal 1: Joanne can increase her sense of spirituality and well-being.
Objective 1: The client will be able to engage in spiritual activities that allow her
to feel more grounded and connected to a higher power.
Intervention 1: The professional will aid Joanne in developing potential
religious activities to deepen her spiritual presence.
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Work Cited
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Suicide prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/suicide/fastfact.html
Kushner, H. I. (2019). Women and suicide in historical perspective. In Feminist Research
Methods (pp. 193-206). Routledge.
Akbarizadeh, F., Hajivandi, A., Hajivandi, M., & Zeidabadi Nejad, M. S. (2019). Marriage
Related Suicide Fatality Rates. Iranian journal of psychiatry, 14(1), 54–59.
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Kondrath, S. R. (2022). Moral injury and spiritual distress: Clinical applications in
interdisciplinary, spiritually integrated interventions. Current Treatment Options in Psychiatry,
9(3), 126-139.
Fukai, M. (2020). Depression and suicidal ideation: association of physical, mental, social, and
spiritual health status. Quality of Life Research, 29, 2807-2814.
