Article

People with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are at elevated risk for suicide.
Postinjury cognitive limitations, personality factors, and psychological problems
may independently or in conjunction with preinjury correlates contribute to
suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Rehabilitation practitioners can best serve the
needs of this high-risk population by increasing their knowledge and competence
in evidence-informed approaches to suicide prevention. This article provides a
review of suicide nomenclature, epidemiology, risk and protective factors, as
well as evidence-informed assessment, management, and treatment practices for
suicidal patients. The science of clinical practice in the area of rehabilitation
and suicide prevention is in its infancy. Practitioners who provide treatment for
suicidal patients with TBI are encouraged to adapt and individualize existing
evidence-informed suicide assessment and prevention practices for implementation
within their settings. Each patient with a TBI who endorses suicidal thoughts
and/or behaviors presents a complex array of clinical challenges associated with
the nature of his or her brain injury, preinjury, and postinjury functioning.
Clinical as well as research recommendations are provided in the context of an
understanding of such challenges and an overriding objective of minimizing
suicide risk during the recovery process and maximizing treatment gains.

Langue : ANGLAIS