Teen Suicide - Finding A Therapist

Choosing a Therapist, or Mental Health Professional: What should you expect from a mental health professional working with your son or daughter whom you believe or know to be suicidal?

The following is not meant to be an exhaustive list, but is intended to help you know some of the important things to look for in your mental health professional (MHP).

1. The MHP should have had experience in working with suicidal adolescent patients.
2. The MHP should establish a relationship with the patient that is
   non-judgmental, collaborative and supportive.
3. The MHP should never avoid or tip-toe around issues. S/he should ask direct and sincere questions, but should do so in a supportive manner.
4. The MHP should take a thorough and complete patient history, including substance use and mood disorders, and also inquire about mental health issues of both the immediate and extended family members.
5. The MHP should take your concerns seriously, asking direct questions at each meeting concerning the current thoughts and behaviors of the patient.
6. If your teen has attempted suicide, the MHP should inquire as to the events prior to the attempt and how your teen felt when she realized the attempt had failed; i.e., was she relieved, disappointed, indifferent, and the like. This is an important indication of the will or lack of will to live.
7. The MHP should talk with you about securing lethal means, including alcohol, prescription and non-prescription drugs.
8. The MHP should make it clear that he or she is available to talk to the patient and/or family members in the event of an emergency that occurs during non-office hours. The MHP may also suggest more frequent office visits during a crucial period.
9. The MHP should make inquiries into the family's current functioning to determine if a family intervention, such as family therapy, needs to be initiated to support and protect the patient.
10. The MHP should consider psychotropic medication as a part of the treatment program, and have a sound reason if it is not to be included. He or she should also explain any potential side effects of the medication, as well as when the patient might expect to feel positive results. If the MHP is not qualified or licensed to prescribe medications, he or she should work closely with the prescribing physician or other professional in determining the most appropriate medication based on the patient's personal and family history (which the MHP should know better than any other health care provider).
    
11. The MHP should consider both outpatient and voluntary or involuntary inpatient resources with you, and help you choose the best alternative for the protection of your son or daughter.

As mentioned above, this list is not intended to cover all possibilities, but to give you some guidelines to use in judging if you are receiving the competent help needed in reducing suicide risk. For more information on selecting a mental health professional, see Choosing a Therapist.

Leon Pyle, PhD

• Teen Suicide Resources and References