Watch the video lecture in the activities section below to learn how to help a patient to stop being violent.

The warning signs a patient can look out for include:

• Typical situations such as arguments over money
• Physical signs such as finger pointing, pacing, etc
• Emotional signs such as feeling trapped, challenged, etc
• Mental signs including negative thoughts about the spouse or family member

SUMMARY

• It is essential to assess a patient for the presence of suicide risk
• If risk is present, it is important to ascertain the degree of risk since this will guide you about the appropriate course of action
• If you judge any patient to have high suicide risk, discuss this with your supervisor without delay
• Take urgent action for any patient at a high risk of suicide
• Crisis counselling may be needed for patients facing acute personal crises
• Respond positively to patients who are in bereavement - grieving from the loss of a close relative or friend
• People who experience domestic violence or who are themselves violent need help to deal with this. Speak about the violence in a non-judgemental manner and guide the patient to the help that he/she feels is most appropriate

Click here to start this module