A 14-year-old African American boy is sent for counseling by his school counselor because he has not been coming to school…………

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Thinking of the ABC Model of Crisis Intervention and suicide assessment, decide which risk level the client is and discuss what interventions you would apply.
A 14-year-old African American boy is sent for counseling by his school counselor because he has not been coming to school and is not performing when he is in school. His mother brings him to the appointment, but she is in a hurry because she is on her lunch break from her full-time job. His father does not live with them, though he comes around frequently. The child states that he wishes he never existed and that he wishes he was dead.

 

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Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Your Crisis Intervention and Suicide Assessment Paper

Step 1: Understand the ABC Model of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Assessment

  • The ABC Model of Crisis Intervention includes three phases:
    • A (Achieving Contact): Establish rapport with the client to ensure they feel safe and heard.
    • B (Boiling Down the Problem): Identify the client’s immediate needs and problems, focusing on feelings of distress or harm.
    • C (Coping): Help the client develop strategies to manage the crisis and begin moving toward resolution.
  • Suicide assessment involves determining the client’s level of risk for self-harm or suicide, based on their statements and behavior.

Step 2: Evaluate the Client’s Risk Level

  • The client is a 14-year-old boy who has expressed suicidal thoughts (“wishes he was dead” and “wishes he never existed”).
  • The fact that he has not been attending school or performing well in school indicates potential emotional distress or depression.
  • The lack of a consistent father figure and the mother’s rushed involvement suggest potential environmental stressors.Risk Assessment Factors:
    • Suicidal Ideation: The client has expressed wishes of death.
    • Age and Developmental Stage: Being a 14-year-old, the client is at a developmental stage where emotional challenges can be particularly intense.
    • Support System: The client has limited support from his father and his mother appears overwhelmed.

Based on these factors, the client could be classified as having moderate to high risk for suicidal ideation. Further evaluation is required to determine the severity of the risk.

Step 3: Apply the ABC Model of Crisis Intervention

  1. Achieving Contact (A):
    • Build rapport with the client to establish trust and ensure a safe space for communication.
    • Encourage the boy to express his thoughts and feelings, validating his experience without judgment.
    • Speak with the mother separately, if necessary, to understand her concerns and the child’s history.
  2. Boiling Down the Problem (B):
    • Focus on the immediate crisis: the client’s suicidal ideation.
    • Assess if the client has a clear plan or intent to act on these thoughts. Explore other potential stressors, such as school-related challenges and family dynamics.
    • Use open-ended questions to gather more information about his emotional state, relationships, and potential triggers for his distress.
  3. Coping (C):
    • Introduce coping strategies for emotional distress, such as deep breathing exercises, grounding techniques, or journaling to process feelings.
    • Discuss creating a safety plan, including identifying trusted adults, counselors, or family members he can reach out to when feeling overwhelmed.
    • Encourage continued school attendance by addressing potential academic challenges and seeking support services at school, such as tutoring or counseling.
    • Refer the client for a full suicide risk assessment and involve the mother in ensuring proper follow-up care.
    • Discuss involving a therapist or mental health professional for long-term support, especially given the family dynamics.

Step 4: Document and Plan for Follow-Up

  • Make a detailed note of the risk assessment and intervention steps.
  • Schedule follow-up appointments to monitor the client’s progress, re-assess the risk level, and adjust interventions as needed.

Tips for Success:

  • Stay Empathetic: Always approach the client with empathy and ensure that they feel heard and understood.
  • Safety First: If there is an imminent risk of harm, immediate safety measures must be taken, including possible hospitalization or 24/7 support.
  • Collaborate: Engage with the family and other support systems (e.g., school counselors) to provide a comprehensive support network for the client.

Good luck with your assignment!

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