Suicide Risk Assessments
COUN 5238 UNIT 6 Assignment 1
Capella University
, Abstract
For a long time, talking about suicide has been seen as off-limits, often leading people to
avoid the topic or downplay its importance because of the negative emotions it brings up.
Counselors play a crucial role in breaking through this discomfort, fostering connections,
instilling hope, and raising awareness about the seriousness of suicide. Suicide is defined as
intentionally causing one's own death through injury, as recognized by the Centers for Disease
Control (2023). Similarly, a suicide attempt involves trying to end one's life but failing. This
paper will explore the factors that contribute to suicidal thoughts, protective measures, screening
tools, and their practical application in a case study.
Background of Suicide
The historical backdrop of suicide reveals shifting societal attitudes and understandings.
Across different cultures and time periods, suicide has been perceived variably as a noble act, a
sin, a symptom of mental illness, or a tragic consequence of despair. In ancient civilizations, such
as Greece and Rome, suicide was sometimes viewed as an honorable escape from dishonor or as
a form of protest. Conversely, many religious traditions, including Christianity and Islam, have
condemned suicide as a violation of divine law. Among Catholics, suicide was traditionally
considered a mortal sin—a very serious sin that destroyed one's relationship with God. (Faith.
Hope. Life, 2023)
During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, suicide was often associated with moral
decay and was criminalized in some societies. Enlightenment philosophers, like David Hume and
Immanuel Kant, began to question these moralistic views, arguing for a more nuanced
understanding of suicide as a rational choice influenced by individual circumstances. At the end
of the Middle Ages the Catholic condemnation of suicide was anchored in the belief that suicide
COUN 5238 UNIT 6 Assignment 1
Capella University
, Abstract
For a long time, talking about suicide has been seen as off-limits, often leading people to
avoid the topic or downplay its importance because of the negative emotions it brings up.
Counselors play a crucial role in breaking through this discomfort, fostering connections,
instilling hope, and raising awareness about the seriousness of suicide. Suicide is defined as
intentionally causing one's own death through injury, as recognized by the Centers for Disease
Control (2023). Similarly, a suicide attempt involves trying to end one's life but failing. This
paper will explore the factors that contribute to suicidal thoughts, protective measures, screening
tools, and their practical application in a case study.
Background of Suicide
The historical backdrop of suicide reveals shifting societal attitudes and understandings.
Across different cultures and time periods, suicide has been perceived variably as a noble act, a
sin, a symptom of mental illness, or a tragic consequence of despair. In ancient civilizations, such
as Greece and Rome, suicide was sometimes viewed as an honorable escape from dishonor or as
a form of protest. Conversely, many religious traditions, including Christianity and Islam, have
condemned suicide as a violation of divine law. Among Catholics, suicide was traditionally
considered a mortal sin—a very serious sin that destroyed one's relationship with God. (Faith.
Hope. Life, 2023)
During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, suicide was often associated with moral
decay and was criminalized in some societies. Enlightenment philosophers, like David Hume and
Immanuel Kant, began to question these moralistic views, arguing for a more nuanced
understanding of suicide as a rational choice influenced by individual circumstances. At the end
of the Middle Ages the Catholic condemnation of suicide was anchored in the belief that suicide
