Person 1

Joe is a 35-year-old man who just found out that he has been laid off from his job as a computer programmer after working at the same company for 7 years. He has no idea how he is going to tell his wife and their 5-year-old girl that daddy just lost his job. Money is tight and looks to be getting even tighter. Joe finds himself thinking that his family would be better off if he were dead and they could collect on the insurance money.

Person 2

Maria is a 22-year-old college student who just broke up with her boyfriend of 2 years. Much of Maria's self-concept was based on her idea of a future with her boyfriend primarily because she had such a difficult time adjusting to her parents' divorce. At age 13, following her parents' first separation, Maria took "a few pills" but nothing serious happened and she never told anyone about it.

Person 3

Amy is a 19-year-old female who just told her family that she is a lesbian. Disowned by her father and ostracized by the rest of her family, Amy now finds herself on her own trying to pay for school. Amy's counselor has noted disturbing changes in her behavior, especially that she isn't sleeping or eating, she can't concentrate on schoolwork, and she has stopped doing things with her friends. Amy reluctantly followed her counselor's advice and saw a doctor about beginning the medication.

Person 4

Alex is a 57-year-old man who has been divorced three times, the last divorce costing him his house and his status in the community. As if that weren't enough, the economy has led to poor commissions at his high-pressure sales job so he hasn't made his alimony and child support payments for the last few months. After work, he often goes to the shooting club to shoot a few rounds with his favorite gun as a way to blow off steam and then has a few beers "to help him relax." The other day, after shooting and drinking several rounds, he unexpectedly gave his favorite gun to his best friend.

address the following in 2 pages:

• Discuss which of the case studies above you selected as having the greatest risk for suicide. If you chose the correct case as having the highest risk, describe your thought process in determining that these risk factors were of greatest concern. If you did not choose the correct case at first, describe what your misconceptions were about the strongest predictors of suicide.
• Extend this discussion by summarizing the major risk factors and warning signs for suicide that you have learned from your research.
• Finally, discuss the protective factors that can reduce suicide risk.