Suicide Case Summary

Tim is a thirty-five year old African American single male. He identifies as heterosexual and agnostic. He reports growing up in a Baptist family and practicing the faith until the death of his wife. He reports leaving the church and struggling with religion after the accident that killed seven people including his wife. He reports that the Baptist church was a big part of his life prior to the accident. Tim currently resides at the Travel Inn in Phoenix, Arizona for the past two weeks. He reports moving to the Inn after his home in Scottsdale, Arizona sold.
Presenting Problems and Presenting Strengths: Tim presents with several strengths. He is open and honest about his suicidal ideation and suicide plan. Tim is college educated and articulate.

He reports a desire to donate his organs in an effort to “make up for the lives” he took the night of the accident. Tim reports self blame for the accident, as he was texting and veered into oncoming traffic. Tim reports having dreams about the accident and that he sees his wife lying on the pavement. Tim reports difficulty staying asleep and waking up with a feeling of “panic” several times a night. When asked if he feels present in traumatic event during the day, Tim reported “no.” However he reports an effort to not think of the accident. He reports that it is “frustrating” when memories of the accident “pop” into his head during the day. He reports getting “angry” when he thinks of the accident. Additionally, Tim has limited social supports, isolates himself, and is facing financial hardship due to unemployment.
Social Service Delivery Systems:
Discuss the social service delivery systems with which this client is involved. Why is the client involved in such systems?

Is the client not involved in a system, but should be? What policies may exert an influence on this

Exposure to threatened death
• A1: Three years ago, Tim directly experienced a serious car accident that left seven individuals dead. He was the only survivor of the accident.
B. Presence of at least one intrusive symptom associated with the traumatic event
• B1: Tim reports experiencing recurrent and involuntary distressing memories of the car accident.
• B2: Tim reports having distressing dreams about the car accident in which he sees his wife, badly injured, lying on the pavement after the accident.
C. Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the traumatic event
• C1: Tim reports an effort to avoid the distressing memories associated with the accident.
D. Presence of two or more negative changes in cognition and mood associated with the traumatic event
• D4: Tim reports persistent feelings of “guilt” and “shame” associated with the car accident
• D5: Tim exhibited a decrease in participation in significant actives such as employment and attending