Kim, who works for a small nonprofit counselling agency, is counselling Mark, an 18-year-old college student who is worried about his recent binge drinking behaviours. Because Mark uses his smartphone "for everything," Kim agrees to use texting to set up appointments. One morning upon checking her text messages, Kim finds a message sent by Mark at 2:00 am simply stating that "life has no meaning" and that he will "now end everything". Kim sends off a frantic message to Mark, indicating her concern and requesting he contact her immediately. Kim does not know Mark's address, and the phone number provided is no longer in service.

Identification of ethically relevant issues and practices, including the interests, rights, and any relevant characteristics of the individuals and groups involved and of the system or circumstances in which the ethical problem arose.

The question obliges to review of relevant professional documents, starting with the code for the relevant jurisdiction, the Code of Ethics, professional standards and scientific literature.

With the CPA Code of Ethics, four ethical principles should apply here as well:

Respect for the dignity of persons.

Responsible caring.

Integrity in relationships.

Responsibility to society.

Canadian Psychological Association. (2017).Code of ethics.https://www.cpa.ca/docs/File/Ethics/CPA_Code_2017_4thEd.pdf

College of Alberta Psychologists. (2019). Standards of Practice.https://www.cap.ab.ca/Portals/0/adam/Content/daRHX-JLPEShl1-N8954Fg/Link/Standards%20of%20Practice%20October%201,%202019%20(revised%20Nov.14.2019).pdf