The agencies offered each of 10 distinct services to 20 percent or more of the suicidal group. For all state residents, only the two services highlighted previously were given to more than 20 percent of them. The profile of services to this group embodies a crisis orientation. At first blush this seems hardly surprising. But it may also indicate that counselors and other staff are becoming involved somewhat late in the lives of these people.
Services are highly focused on individuals.
All of the most common services target the individual, rather than the individual's family or their broader social environment. For example, individual counseling is offered to suicidal people at three times the frequency of family counseling. This compares poorly with the 54.2 percent of Connecticut residents statewide who gave support groups a top rating. Professional staff may wish to rethink offering support groups to suicidal clients. Generally, there is considerable tension between the profile of services provided and the landscape of social support in which the suicidal person operates.