A 16-Year-Old Boy with Suicidal Thoughts Is Brought to the Office

A 16-year-old boy with suicidal thoughts is brought to the office by his parents.  He has been in constant conflict with his parents since refusing to stop drinking alcohol, which he does on a daily basis.  The patient is the oldest of 6 children; his mother suffers from lower back pain and relies on him for child care, which he finds overwhelming.  His father works 2 jobs and is often not around to help with the children.  His mother keeps a firearm by her bedside for protection when she is alone with the children at night.  The patient dropped out of high school last year after getting dumped by his girlfriend.  He recently contracted Lyme disease with resultant symptoms of fatigue and myalgia.  Which of the following interventions is the best next step to decrease this patient's risk of completed suicide?

A) Advise the mother to lock away her firearm
B) Initiate treatment for depression
C) Provide the mother with assistance in the home
D) Start alcohol abuse counseling
E) Support the patient's return to high school
F) Treat the patient's Lyme disease

Correct Answer:

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