If a high school student reveals they are being bullied and feels suicidal, what should the nurse do?

Developing a safety plan for a student who is feeling suicidal is an essential and proactive step in addressing their mental health crisis. A safety plan serves as a tailored strategy that helps the student identify coping mechanisms, recognize warning signs, and outline steps to take in a crisis. All these components are vital for ensuring the student's immediate safety and for promoting their longer-term well-being.

In this scenario, the safety plan might include identifying trusted individuals the student can reach out to in moments of distress, creating a list of activities that provide comfort or distraction, and establishing a plan to avoid potentially harmful situations. This collaborative approach not only empowers the student but also provides them concrete tools to manage their feelings and thoughts of self-harm.

Addressing the bullying situation is important, but the immediate focus should be on the student's suicidal ideation. Other options, such as notifying the parents or discussing the matter only with the student, might not address the student's current emotional crisis effectively and could also violate confidentiality or trust if not handled sensitively. Therefore, focusing on a safety plan is the appropriate and ethical approach in this scenario.