Glossary: Mental Health
Information about mental health and suicide prevention can sometimes include language you might not be familiar with. These terms are used commonly when talking about suicide prevention. B Best Practices Activities or programs that are in keeping with the best available evidence regarding what is effective. C Chat service Crisis counseling provided via instant messaging. Comprehensive suicide prevention plans Plans that use a multi-faceted approach to addressing the problem. For example, including interventions targeting biopsychosocial, social, and environmental factors. Confidentiality The principle in medical ethics that the information a patient or client reveals to a health care provider is private and has limits on how and when it can be disclosed to a third party. Consumer A person who is using or has used a health service. Contagion A phenomenon whereby susceptible persons are influenced toward suicidal behavior through knowledge of another person's suicidal acts. Crisis center A facility or call center where people going through personal crises can obtain help or advice, either in person or over the phone. Crisis counseling Brief counseling focused on minimizing stress, providing emotional support and improving immediate coping strategies. Like psychotherapy, crisis counseling involves assessment, planning and treatment, but the scope of service is much more specific. Crisis hotline A phone number people can call to get immediate emergency crisis counseling. Crisis intervention See Crisis counseling G Gatekeepers People in a community who have face-to-face contact with large numbers of community members as part of their usual routine; they may be trained to identify people at risk of suicide and refer them to treatment or supporting services as appropriate. H Health The complete state of physical, mental, and social well-being. Health and safety officials Law enforcement officers, fire fighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and outreach workers in community health programs. I Imminent risk A situation where a person's current risk status is believed to indicate actions that could lead to his or her suicide. Intervention A strategy or approach that is intended to prevent an outcome or to alter the course of an existing condition (such as providing lithium for bipolar disorder or strengthening social support in a community). M Means The instrument or object whereby a self-destructive act is carried out (i.e., firearm, poison, medication). Means restriction Techniques, policies, and procedures designed to reduce access or availability to means and methods of deliberate self-harm. Methods Actions or techniques which result in an individual inflicting self-harm (i.e., asphyxiation, overdose, jumping). Mental disorder A diagnosable illness characterized by alterations in thinking, mood, or behavior (or some combination thereof) associated with distress that significantly interferes with an individual's cognitive, emotional or social abilities; often used interchangeably with mental illness. Mental health The capacity of people to interact with one another and the environment in ways that promote subjective well-being, optimal development, and use of mental abilities. Mental health problem Diminished cognitive, social or emotional abilities, but not to the extent that the criteria for a mental disorder are met. Mental health services Health services that are specially designed for the care and treatment of people with mental health problems, including mental illness. Includes hospital and other 24-hour services, intensive community services, ambulatory or outpatient services, medical management, case management, intensive psychosocial rehabilitation services, and other intensive outreach approaches to the care of individuals with severe disorders. Mental illness See Mental disorder. P Postvention A strategy or approach that is implemented after a crisis or traumatic event has occurred. Prevention A strategy or approach that reduces the likelihood of risk of onset or delays the onset of adverse health problems or reduces the harm resulting from conditions or behaviors. Prevention network Coalitions of change-oriented organizations and individuals working together to promote suicide prevention. Prevention networks might include statewide coalitions, community task forces, regional alliances, or professional groups. Protective factors Factors that make it less likely that individuals will develop a disorder. Protective factors may encompass biological, psychological or social factors in the individual, family and environment. Psychiatric disorder See Mental disorder. Psychiatry The medical science that deals with the origin, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of mental disorders. Psychology The science concerned with the individual behavior of humans, including mental and physiological processes related to behavior. Public health The science and art of promoting health, preventing disease, and prolonging life through the organized efforts of society. R Risk assessment The process of quantifying the probability of an individual harming himself or others. Risk factors Those factors that make it more likely that individuals will develop a disorder; risk factors may encompass biological, psychological or social factors in the individual, family and environment. S Screening Administration of an assessment tool to identify persons in need of more in-depth evaluation or treatment. Screening tools Instruments and techniques (questionnaires, check lists, self-assessment forms) used to evaluate individuals for increased risk of certain health problems. Self-harm The various methods by which individuals injure themselves, such as self-cutting, self-battering, taking overdoses or exhibiting deliberate recklessness. Self-injury See Self-harm. Social services Organized efforts to advance human welfare, such as home-delivered meal programs, support groups, and community recreation projects. Social support Assistance that may include companionship, emotional backing, cognitive guidance, material aid and special services. Stakeholders Entities, including organizations, groups and individuals, which are affected by and contribute to decisions, consultations and policies. Stigma An object, idea, or label associated with disgrace or reproach. Substance abuse A maladaptive pattern of substance use manifested by recurrent and significant adverse consequences related to repeated use. This includes maladaptive use of legal substances and illicit drugs. Suicidal act (also referred to as suicide attempt) A potentially self-injurious behavior with a nonfatal outcome, for which there is evidence that the person intended to kill himself or herself. A suicide attempt may or may not result in injuries. Suicidal behavior A spectrum of activities related to thoughts and behaviors that include suicidal thinking, suicide attempts, and completed suicide. Suicidal ideation Self-reported thoughts of engaging in suicide-related behavior. Suicidality A term that encompasses suicidal thoughts, ideation, plans, suicide attempts, and completed suicide. Suicide Death from injury, poisoning, or suffocation where there is evidence that a self-inflicted act led to the person's death. Suicide attempt See Suicidal act. Suicide attempt survivors Individuals who have survived a prior suicide attempt. Suicide survivors Family members, significant others, or acquaintances who have experienced the loss of a loved one due to suicide. Sometimes this term is also used to mean suicide attempt survivors. Suicide warning signs Indications that an individual is at risk for suicide. Adapted from the National Strategy for Suicide
Prevention: Goals and Objectives for action. Rockville,
MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public
Health Service, 2001
cALL 800-273-8255 OR text 741741 |
Mental
Health & Suicide Prevention Glossary