You are a counselor working in a community mental health clinic. You are meeting with a new client, a 25-year-old woman named Sarah, who is seeking help for depression and anxiety. Sarah tells you that she has been feeling down and hopeless for the past few months. She has also been having trouble sleeping and concentrating. She says that she has had thoughts of harming herself, but she has never acted on them.

You ask Sarah about her history of mental health problems. She tells you that she has been diagnosed with depression and anxiety in the past. She has also had some problems with substance abuse. Sarah tells you that she is currently unemployed and living with her parents. She says that she has no friends and that she feels isolated and alone.

Based on Sarah’s history and current symptoms, you believe that she is at risk for self-harm. You decide to create a risk assessment to further assess her risk and develop a safety plan.

Here are some specific behaviors that led you to create a risk assessment:

• Sarah’s history of depression and anxiety. These are two mental health conditions that are associated with an increased risk of self-harm.
• Sarah’s recent thoughts of harming herself. This is a clear warning sign that she may be at risk of acting on these thoughts.
• Sarah’s isolation and loneliness. These factors can contribute to feelings of hopelessness and despair, which can increase the risk of self-harm.
• Sarah’s lack of a support system. Having a strong support system can help to protect people from self-harm. Sarah’s lack of friends and family members who can support her makes her more vulnerable.

In addition to these specific behaviors, there are other factors that can also increase the risk of self-harm. These include:

• Recent life stressors, such as a job loss, a breakup, or the death of a loved one.
• Access to weapons or other means of self-harm.
• Substance abuse.
• A history of self-harm.
• Thoughts of suicide.

If you are concerned that a client is at risk for self-harm, it is important to create a risk assessment. This will help you to better understand the client’s risk factors and develop a safety plan to protect them.

A risk assessment typically includes the following information:

• The client’s history of mental health problems.
• The client’s current symptoms.
• The client’s thoughts and feelings about self-harm.
• The client’s access to weapons or other means of self-harm.
• The client’s support system.
• The client’s coping skills.

Once you have completed the risk assessment, you can develop a safety plan with the client. This plan should include specific steps that the client can take to reduce their risk of self-harm. For example, the plan might include:

• Identifying triggers for self-harm and avoiding them.
• Developing coping skills to manage difficult emotions.
• Building a strong support system.
• Getting help from a mental health professional.

It is important to remember that a risk assessment is just a starting point. It is important to continue to monitor the client’s risk and adjust the safety plan as needed.