J , 43 years old, comes to your community mental health center for the first time

J , 43 years old, comes to your community mental health center for the first time. He says he “feels like killing himself” and recently bought a gun. He states, “My mother talked me into coming here.” J.’s wife recently left him, taking their two children with her. Since then, J. has been depressed and drinking heavily. He says he also “used a little crack yesterday.” He denies long-term substance abuse. He says, “I don’t know what to do. I feel hopeless. I can’t even work. I’m afraid my boss is going to fire me. Nothing like this has ever happened to me before.”

a. Describe your initial nursing actions on meeting J. Make a list of pertinent factors to consider when his nursing care plan is developed.

b. How does J.’s case differ from a case of chronic, severe depression, lasting about 10 years or more?

c. How would you rate the severity of his suicidal ideation?