Strong Skills Use: Reflection on Gail’s Case

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Instances of Strong Skills Use
Skills Needing Improvement
Socio-Cultural Factors
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Suicide has recently grown into one of the most severe adverse events related to public health, necessitating the heightened awareness of both respective governmental agencies and distinct healthcare professionals. In this regard, suicidal risk assessment acts as essential preventive practice, mitigating self-harm and suicidal intentions and improving wellbeing. However, to be effective, this intervention is a challenging process since it requires the active engagement of clinicians and clients, the proper gathering of all critical information, and relevant follow-up actions. This paper aims to reflect on the interview with Gail, a 72-year-old female patient who became inclined to suicide risk complicated to the recent death of her husband. Specifically, the paper will discuss several instances indicating strong skills use, examples showing a need for further skill development and the role of multiple socio-cultural identities in the appraisal.

Instances of Strong Skills Use

Gathering Essential Information

The first skill appropriately applied in the interview session is collecting the necessary information to gain in-depth insight into the patient’s status and main problems. Gathering data is an integral component of the assessment needed to reveal clients’ distress levels and current feelings and thoughts about their life situations (“Suicide risk assessment,” n.d.). It also helps medical professionals identify specific risk, warning, or protective factors significantly contributing to patients’ predispositions to commit suicide. It is worth noting that this stage entails collecting information from patients and other individuals involved in clients’ life to a particular extent.

In this interview, I ascertained that the primary reason for Gail’s desire to end her life was the death of her beloved husband, with whom they had intimate relationships. The patient previously tended to experience recurrent and prolonged attacks of mostly unfounded anxiety. Her complicated and delicate psychological condition was also stipulated by the absence of children and close relatives, sometimes causing acute loneliness. In this regard, the husband was her sole consolation and support, and his abrupt demise due to a severe stroke in a vulnerable mental state that did not receive any adequate treatment before.

Along with warning signs, there were also some protective contributors. In particular, Gail had good relationships with her neighbors, who eventually resorted to the ambulance. She also had interaction with her brother, who currently serves as her emergency contact. Finally, Gail was actively engaged in her hobbies, that is, housekeeping and gardening, which aided her in distracting from disturbing thoughts and brought some enjoyment. Nevertheless, after her husband’s death, her everyday activities and contacts lost any sense, which incited Gail to self-murder.

Referring the Patient to Inpatient Treatment

Gail’s referral for inpatient treatment was the right decision, substantiated by her mental condition and determination to commit suicide in the nearest future. Gail stated that she had a specific plan and pills needed to kill herself. In this regard, inpatient treatment could save her from extreme attempts and actions and improve her well-being. The patient’s enhanced well-being could be achieved by implementing pharmacological therapy and various psychological interventions. Furthermore, the new setting, different from the previous environment, would divert her from deplorable and desperate feelings, thoughts, and ideas. On the other hand, inpatient treatment would help examine Gail’s status and problems better and, thus, draw the correct conclusions and prescribe necessary therapy.

The Validation of the Patient’s Feelings

Finally, while interacting with Gail, I acknowledged that her feelings had valid, apparent, and significant reasons. In particular, I specified that the loss of the closest person presents one of the toughest and most enormous challenges in life, the bitter experience of which would imprint on the memory forever. This problem can even provoke various psychological and physical illnesses and lead to meaningless life. Such an attitude towards her inner state predisposed Gail to higher openness and more active cooperation, which resulted in the slight betterment of her wellbeing.

Skills Needing Improvement

Problems with Questions

The first problematic area I detected during the session was associated with asking clear questions that would be useful in receiving valuable information. I felt that the patient sometimes could not understand my question, especially their purpose. For instance, she could say, “Why do you ask me about that all? Honestly, I’m not willing to talk about this right now!” (Video). I think that if I had explained to Gail the reason for these questions and their utility, she would have been less reserved and secluded. In addition, I consider that my questions lacked clarity, and occasionally the client gave the information I did not actually want or brought no practical value.

Finally, I also discovered that there was an issue with the arrangement of the questions, which primarily impaired their coherency. Specifically, I think that questions about her socioeconomic status, material difficulties, or age should have been put later, while questions about her contacts and hobbies or occupation could have gone first. I have realized that the first question should be preparative, slightly relaxed, and supportive to help the patient be open to further, more in-depth conversation.

The Presence of Nervousness

Despite its little effect on the result of the interview, my nervousness created some obstacles and interferences in the conversations between Gail and me. This state was caused by the lack of experience with such cases and the fear that I would fail to help her. The worst thing is that my nervosity reflected on Gail’s mood and even induced some mistrust from her side in my assistance. Fortunately, this unpleasant feeling gradually subsided, and our interaction became more smooth and more comfortable. I believe that with gaining the necessary experience, nervousness will not interfere with my work with patients anymore.

Doubtful End

Unquestionably, the end of the interview could be much better, and this understanding slightly disappointed and confused me. When I tried to convince Gail to stay at the inpatient facility and console her, saying that everything would settle down over time, she suddenly burst into tears. Moreover, she began frequently repeated, “My dear husband,” and assured me that she would soon go mad (Video). In this situation, I became disconcerted and felt awkward, eventually starting to lose hope that I could help her in her inconsolable grief. After carefully contemplating this incident, I realized that I should have stayed with Gail a little longer and promised her that I would always be ready and willing to help her.

Socio-Cultural Factors

Socio-cultural factors played a prominent role in the interview and affected its outcomes. First, since Gail is female, she is more inclined to express emotions and more susceptible to different adverse events. According to the Department of Health & Human Services, women more frequently commit suicide attempts than men (“Suicide risk assessment,” n.d.). Additionally, Ryan et al. (2020) state that individuals aged over 45 belong to the most vulnerable category of the population, primarily because of mental diseases. Gail is 72 years old, and she experienced anxiety exacerbated by her husband’s death. The minimal circle of relatives and friends also made an unfavorable contribution and hindered the successful course of the session.

Concerning Gail’s beliefs and values, it is worth noting that I failed to learn something definite because she was always reserved and unwilling to share their background. However, I should admit that Gail looked intelligent, neat, and respected woman, which facilitated our interaction. Besides, I think that she does not belong to a particular religion since, based on my experience, people with religious beliefs endure the loss of their closest relatives much easier. This factor also complicated the work and collaboration in the session.

Conclusion

In summary, the paper reflected on the interview with Gail, who became inclined to suicide risk caused of the recent death of her husband. The instances indicating strong skills use include the collection of essential information, Gail’s referral for inpatient treatment, and the validation of the patient’s feelings. Examples showing a need for further skill development comprise the questions’ vagueness and their inappropriate arrangement, the presence of nervousness in conversation, and the doubtful end of the interview. The shortage of close relatives and friends, the absence of religious affiliation, and age can be distinguished as prominent socio-cultural factors and identifiers. Overall, the given session has provided me with valuable experience, revealed my drawbacks needing due consideration, and showed me the path for further professional progress.

References

Ryan, E. P., & Oquendo, M. A. (2020). Suicide risk assessment and prevention: Challenges and opportunities. Focus, 18(2), 88-99. Web.

Suicide risk assessment. (n.d.). The Department of Health. Web.

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