NCJ Number
86491
Journal
Corrective and Social Psychiatry and Journal of Behavior Technology Methods and Therapy Volume: 28 Issue: 3 Dated: (1982) Pages: 74-80
Date Published
1982
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This study reviews various theories of suicide and draws implications for suicide prevention in institutional settings.
Abstract
Factors pertinent to suicide within hospital settings also apply to forensic suicides: the patient's personal disorganization (anomie) and environmental factors. Forensic patients are often at the extremes of physical or emotional distress, and patients, especially the long-term, are frequently without resources or relationships outside the hospital, so the hospital and its staff assume special importance to the patient. Specific stress factors among forensic populations are the marginality and rage associated with many forensic patients and the custodial nature of forensic units. The control and management of suicidal forensic patients should be based in chemotherapy, adjustment counseling, and psychotherapy. Initially, the suicidal patient should be placed on the appropriate psychotropic medication. Adjustment counseling should intensify once the patient is stabilized on psychotropic medication. The primary function of this counseling is to help the patient adjust to the institutional environment. Staff should also be trained to relate to the patient so as to facilitate the patient's adjustment to the institutional environment. The effectiveness of psychotherapy is contingent on the success of chemotherapy and adjustment counseling. Marginal forensic patients usually require a period of directive therapy prior to being capable of engaging in evocative therapies. Thirty-nine references are listed.