Impact of Client Suicide on Mental Health Social Workers

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 ◽  
pp. 145-168
Author(s):  
Jinhee Hyun ◽  
Heeguk Kim
2005 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 197-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Sanders ◽  
Jodi Jacobson ◽  
Laura Ting

The impact of client suicidal behavior on mental health social workers is slowly receiving increased empirical attention. This qualitative study examined the impact of client suicide on social workers. Results indicate that social workers experience multiple personal and professional reactions immediately following a client suicide completion. Long-term effects, such as the continual experience of emotional reactions and permanent behavior changes, including changing practice strategies, are also reported. The results of this study have significant implications for the preparation of social workers and other mental health therapists for practice with suicidal clients.


Social Work ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 329-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Ting ◽  
S. Sanders ◽  
J. M. Jacobson ◽  
J. R. Power

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Elizabeth Weiskittle ◽  
Michelle Mlinac ◽  
LICSW Nicole Downing

Social distancing measures following the outbreak of COVID-19 have led to a rapid shift to virtual and telephone care. Social workers and mental health providers in VA home-based primary care (HBPC) teams face challenges providing psychosocial support to their homebound, medically complex, socially isolated patient population who are high risk for poor health outcomes related to COVID-19. We developed and disseminated an 8-week telephone or virtual group intervention for front-line HBPC social workers and mental health providers to use with socially isolated, medically complex older adults. The intervention draws on skills from evidence-based psychotherapies for older adults including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and Problem-Solving Therapy. The manual was disseminated to VA HBPC clinicians and geriatrics providers across the United States in March 2020 for expeditious implementation. Eighteen HBPC teams and three VA Primary Care teams reported immediate delivery of a local virtual or telephone group using the manual. In this paper we describe the manual’s development and clinical recommendations for its application across geriatric care settings. Future evaluation will identify ways to meet longer-term social isolation and evolving mental health needs for this patient population as the pandemic continues.


2021 ◽  
pp. 146801732110117
Author(s):  
Fakir Al Gharaibeh ◽  
Laura Gibson

Summary COVID-19 is shaping all aspects of life throughout the world. The unexpected number of people who have been infected with and died from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is evidence that the pandemic has affected families and societies. The strong shock wave that has resulted in the international response has focused more on medical rather than psychosocial interventions. Little has been written or studied about the impact of COVID-19 on families. This article explores the impact of the COVID-19 quarantine on the mental health of families. We conducted 20 in-depth interviews with Jordanian families through snowball sampling. Findings The results show that 20 interviewees described varied and new experiences. Many of the families we interviewed displayed symptoms of mental health problems, including disrupted sleep patterns, changes in eating habits, excessive digital media use, anxiety, depression, excessive smoking, stomach aches, bedwetting among children, and persistent headaches. The study also demonstrated the psychological stress partners felt during the lockdown due to their worries about job security. They also communicated their hope that renewed family commitments might bring more stability to their relationships. During the lockdown, family members spent more time together, and it became harder to conceal any issues from each other. Applications The findings of this research demonstrate a critical need for social workers, and it is hoped that future legislation will include a role for social workers in various fields of crisis. Moreover, social workers should encourage families to ask for intervention to overcome the long-term effects that may result from COVID-19.


2021 ◽  
pp. 136548022199684
Author(s):  
Geoffrey Wango ◽  
Leila Mkameli Gwiyo

Death is inevitable and universal, and the corona virus disease has only further intensified a world of uncertainties as a result of frequent accidents, HIV/AIDS, cancer and natural disasters. Bereavement after any death is a potentially disruptive life event with consequences in physical and mental health, relationships and social functioning. Death is a rather odd, thought-provoking and challenging experience, particularly in the lives of children and adolescents. Death of parent/s, sibling, relative/s, teacher, classmate or friend is a relatively new and challenging phenomenon. Persons working with pupils and students, including teachers, counsellors, school chaplain and social workers, need to be prepared to offer help to those who experience bereavement. Death is unpredictable and may occur naturally, suddenly, or traumatically. In several instances, help is sometimes required in advance of bereavement in that the death may be anticipated such as instances of prolonged illness or following a fatal accident. In all cases, the role of the teacher and counsellor in the school is pivotal in supporting pupils and students who have been bereaved. This paper highlights the need to impart post-traumatic growth in bereft pupils and students in schools in order to cope with bereavement.


2006 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 175-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sukru Ercan ◽  
Andrew Kevern ◽  
Leo Kroll

Aim and MethodRu-ok.com is a recently developed website that includes a self-assessment questionnaire. The aim of this study was to evaluate the website and compare the self-assessment questionnaire with established screening questionnaires. A total of 105 teenagers from schools completed three paper-based questionnaires and the online ru-ok.com questionnaire.ResultsThe website receives 730 visits a week. Visits to the advice section and stories about mental health and relationships account for 35% of activity. Of the returned questionnaires, 80% were positive about the website. There were modest and expected correlations between the website questionnaire (RU–OK) and the Mood and Feelings (MFQ) and Strength and Difficulties (SDQ) questionnaires.Clinical ImplicationsInternet-based self-assessment is feasible and acceptable to teenagers. Self-assessment of perceived need by teenagers may be a useful tool for tier one professionals, including teachers, general practitioners, school nurses, social workers and learning mentors.


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