The hypothetical scenario for the current assignment is the suicide attempt by a 37-year-old male who experienced anxiety and a sense of hopelessness after the divorce. It is a relatively common situation that can be referred to as a crisis because few individuals can adopt healthy coping strategies after such stress. One of the definitions for this concept is “personal difficulty or situation that immobilizes people and prevents them from consciously controlling their lives” (James & Gilliland, 2017, p. 9). In the current case, the individual was unable to manage his emotions and chose one of the most destructive coping strategies.
There is a large variety of ethical issues associated with suicide attempts, including respect for the client’s privacy, dignity, autonomy, and beneficence. For instance, if the client retains his suicidal thoughts but does not consent to medical intervention, the social worker faces a moral dilemma between respecting the patient’s choice and his physical well-being. As a result, there is no one correct choice because the resolution is based on ethical codes, which are, as James & Gilliland (2017) note, “aspirational, or based upon a ‘higher good’ that goes beyond what is simply required” (p. 522). Therefore, it is critical to address these ethical issues by thoroughly evaluating the patient’s condition and choosing the most appropriate strategy to support his mental health. In addition, similar to mass trauma crises, such cases are generally short-term in nature, meaning that the emotional stabilization of the client should be the primary concern in the current scenario (Tarvydas et al., 2017). In summary, the fundamental moral principles involved in this crisis intervention are confidentiality, autonomy (respecting the client’s right to self-determination), and beneficence (doing what is best for the client).
Lastly, the social worker needs several crucial skillsets and characteristics to make a weighted and beneficial ethical intervention. In the current case, rational decision-making, high communication competencies, and empathy are essential. It is critical to help the patient feel a sense of belonging and convince him that he is being heard, understood, and valued. A divorce is a highly stressful situation, and many individuals might temporarily lose their will to live. However, to transparently convey this message to the patient, the social worker requires notable communication competencies and a high degree of empathy.
References
James, R. K., & Gilliland, B. E. (2017). Crisis intervention strategies (8th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Tarvydas, V. M., Levers, L. L., & Teahen, P. R. (2017). Ethical guidelines for mass trauma and complex humanitarian emergencies. Journal of Counseling & Development, 95(3), 260-268. Web.