words for suicidal patients?

[cherilee]

Hi everyone,

I have been working in psych for eight months now. Sometimes I really love it, and other times I dont. It has been really interesting, never ever boring.

Anyway, I was wondering what some seasoned psych nurses do to help suicidal patients. What do you say to help their perspective, or give them hope? Today I met a very young man , early twenties , who cam e in suicidal, and I found myself during the assessment not too sure what to say to him. I know Im not "curing" anyone in a day, but I really want to help not hurt a young person so vulnerable. Usually with depression I try to encourage groups, listen, point out when they are proactive,etc. I stopped to think today, if someone is this depressed, with a fresh suicide attempt, what do you say that could help?? Thanks in advance:nurse:

[Thunderwolf, MSN, RN]

This is an area of psych where the "interpersonal relationship" between nurse and patient lays the beginning foundations of hope. The nurse begins placing value on the patient...and genuinely reflects this to him/her. Where the patient sees none or has little to offer, the nurse begins conveying the contrary...truthfully...a little bit here...a little bit there. The nurse expresses appreciation for the patient being alive, sharing something about him/herself, doing something for self or another, to show up or participate in group, to listen to another patient who is also feeling pain, et cetera. Simple words like, "thank you" "I appreciate what you said" "I saw what did, that was great" "you brought a smile to my face" "I look forward to seeing you tomorrow when I work"....can often mean alot when genuinely expressed. The value of the patient who is alive...is something to be celebrated with him/her. When you place value on the patient, you can often become the light at the end of that patient's dark tunnel.

[aloevera]

Agree with the above post.....

I also even try to bring a smile to the pt, circumstances and situations allowing.....I like to see them laugh......