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Canadian Association of Rehabilitation Professional Code of Ethics:
Ethical Decision Making In Suicide Prevention
by Brenda Gaida
Professional helpers face multidimensional ethical issues
in working with suicidal at risk clients. This paper demonstrates an ethical
decision making process to assist the professional in addressing the tension
between preserving life and respecting the wishes of the client. Four
perspectives on the nature of being human are mentioned as background
to how society views suicide and hence how society views prevention of
suicide. This paper addresses the ethical component of suicide prevention
as viewed through the lens of the Canadian Association of Rehabilitation
Professionals (CARP) Draft Code of Ethics (2001). A vignette is used to
illustrate how the professional can apply the ethical principles of the
code in resolving an ethical dilemma. A more comprehensive educational
suicide prevention package is needed to develop a greater understanding
of a suicidal individual and the context of social issues that surrounds
both the client and the professional. Such a package also needs to address
the ethical component of suicide prevention.
E-Mail: gaida@telusplanet.net
Calgary, Alberta
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