Increased stress and anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, a history of trauma, and lack of
social support can all put adolescents at increased risk for suicide. These are largely
internal risk factors, hidden from others. How might they manifest as warning signs
observable by others? Social workers—particularly those in schools—are poised to notice
these warning signs.
For this Discussion, you consider observable actions or demeanors that indicate suicidal
ideation in adolescents. First, you watch a video of Stephanie Parker, who is an adult
talking about her experience attempting suicide as a teen. Then, you imagine how you
would have responded to Stephanie as the school social worker at the time.
Watch the Parker Family video in the Learning Resources, paying particular attention to
Stephanie’s disclosure of suicidal behavior when she was an adolescent.
Assignment below:
Response to the following:
After learning about Stephanie, imagine that you had been the school social worker at the
time of her suicidal ideation. Which indicators would you have looked for in Stephanie and
why?
How would you have responded to each of those indicators? What kinds of questions
would you have asked her and why?
