Incorporating suicide prevention into your therapeutic approach can involve:

  • Ongoing Risk Assessment: Regularly assess for suicidal thoughts or behaviours in every session, particularly if risk factors are present.
  • Coping Skills Development: Help clients develop coping skills and resilience strategies to manage distressing thoughts and emotions effectively.
  • Psychoeducation: Provide psychoeducation about the nature of suicidal thoughts and urges, normalising the experience while emphasising that help is available.
  • Strength-Based Approaches: Focus on clients’ strengths and past successes in overcoming challenges, reinforcing their ability to cope with difficult emotions.
  • Goal Setting: Collaborate with clients to set achievable goals, fostering a sense of purpose and hope for the future.