Addressing Suicide in Occupational Therapy Practice – CAOT Practice Network April 30, 2020 Mansi Patel and Ashley Springer
Why Address Suicide Risk and Prevention There are many factors which could influence an individual to consider suicide at any point in their life Often risk is increased with life changes or stressful events including: Change in mental or physical health Change or loss of occupations (includes all occupations, not just productivity) Loss of loved ones Increased work or life stressors Current changes due to COVID-19
Why Address Suicide Risk and Prevention With the current pandemic, many potential risk factors are in place for a majority of the population Job loss Role changes Loss or change of other daily occupations Increased anxiety and/or depression Decreased routine Increased uncertainty Financial insecurity Isolation
Why OT Addresses Suicide Risk and Prevention Occupational Therapists, no matter what area we work in, are well-suited to address suicide risk and prevention as it coincides with our roles of assisting clients to explore and engage in meaningful occupations Every day we are assisting people who have encountered some change or barrier to be able to overcome those obstacles and find new ways of doing As suicide risk increases with changes, obstacles and barriers, we can assist our clients with exploring what gives them purpose and meaning for continuing to move forward, finding new ways of doing, engaging in coping strategies, and finding new supports; all of which are aspects which can assist with suicide prevention and intervention, while also aligning with our OT values and roles.
Suicide Prevention and Intervention Resources To enable ease of access to occupational therapists, an extensive list of provincial/territorial and local resources is being added to the CAOT website under the Suicide Prevention Network These resources include: Crisis intervention Patient and caregiver education handouts about suicide prevention and intervention Resources for clinicians to support clients Also includes resources for supporting clients from Indigenous communities, clients from various occupational backgrounds or from different age groups. This list may not be fully comprehensive, as some resources may have been missed or not easily searched. This document will be updated periodically as more information becomes available.
Suicide Prevention and Intervention Resources This list will be available on the Suicide and OT Practice - CAOT Practice Network webpage in the next couple of weeks. https://www.caot.ca/site/pd/otn/sot?nav=sidebar
Coping Strategies for Occupational Engagement and Recovery A fellow Suicide Prevention Network member, Theresa Straathof, also highlights the book Coping Strategies for Occupational Engagement and Recovery as another potential resource for assisting with managing during the current pandemic The book highlights modules including: Assertive communication to express needs or set limits The thought/feeling/occupation connection Transforming loneliness to solitude Building healthy routines Recognizing stress symptoms Four categories of coping
Coping Strategies for Occupational Engagement and Recovery More information regarding what the modules entail can also be found on the CAOT Suicide Prevention Network website previously listed Fore more information or to purchase the book, visit: https://www.caot.ca/client/product2/513/itemFromIndex.html
Engagement Opportunities Open Annual Network Meeting May 7, 2020 – 1:30-2:30 PM EST For more details contact our Network Secretary at heather.vrbanac@gmail.com Suicide Prevention Practice Network Session at the Annual CAOT conference May 8, 2020 at 10:30 AM CST
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