John is an elderly Italian man who lost his wife, Debra, to cancer 4 months ago. Since her death, John has become very isolated and is having regular thoughts of suicide. John's neighbour rings the local neighbourhood community centre to report that she is worried about John as she does not see him anymore and that he is exhibiting unusual behaviour and talking as if he will not be around much longer (one example is John having a garage sale and telling his neighbour that he wants to get rid of all of his possessions because he doesn't need them anymore.)

Liz, a community services worker, goes to visit John. They talk about John's grief and his loss of desire to live. Liz asks John if he has been having thoughts of suicide and John says yes. Liz and John spend time talking and exploring John's feelings since his wife passed.

1. How would you avoid making assumptions?

2. How will you avoid being judgmental?

3. How would you avoid making John feel guilty about his thoughts?

4. If John presented with a mental health concern also, how would this influence your role of intervention and referral options?

5. Who would you seek support from, ensuring John received appropriate and collaborative support?

6. Why is it important to debrief regularly, attend supervisions and seek support?