Addressing Suicide in Occupational Therapy Practice CAOT Practice - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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

• ur 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

• r 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

Questions?