it before making the actual attempt (Disease,Condition or General Health Topic). Suicidal individuals communicate their intentions by indirectmethods. These indirect methods are used to determine if anyone will take them seriously, ifanyone really cares, and if they will take some action (Leone 129). The ability to talk to asympathetic, nonjudgmental listener is enough to prevent the person from attempting suicide(Disease, Condition or General Health Topic).“Following a suicidal threat, the family and friends should remove any obvious tools thatmay be used in a suicide attempt, and the person should be watched closely” (Disease, Conditionor General Health Topic). Mental health professionals should be consulted immediately. Duringperiods of critical suicidal behavior hospitalization may be necessary (Disease, Condition orGeneral Health Topic). “NEVER IGNORE A SUICIDE THREAT OR ATTEMPTEDSUICIDE!” (Disease, Condition or General Health Topic).Suicide is often the deadly end point of depression, substance abuse, and delinquency.When a pattern is seen that often ends in suicide, immediate attention must be directed to theindividuals safety. Hospitalization of the suicidal individual is not optional; it can not bepostponed until the following day. The person must be safe and if the family can not trust themover the course of the day and night, then twenty-four-hour hospital care is mandatory. Ifoutpatient care is acceptable the home must be made suicide-proof. This can never be completelyaccomplished; all firearms need to be removed, dispose of all unused medicines, lock up keys toany automobiles, and remove all ropes and cords that could be used for hanging (Leone 76).“Making the method for self-destruction less accessible gives the teen more time to consideroptions other than suicide” (Leone 76).The first major suicide-prevention telephone hotline was established by mental healthprofessionals in the United...
