A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client who was hospitalized for a suicide attempt. Which information is included in the instructions?

The primary goal of discharge instructions for a patient following a suicide attempt is to provide active coping strategies and a concrete safety plan. General health habits are important, but the most critical intervention is teaching the patient how to manage the acute emotional distress that preceded the crisis. Encouraging the patient to externalize and reflect on their emotions through writing helps interrupt the cycle of impulsive action and provides a buffer between the feeling of despair and the act of self-harm. Rationale: A. Getting adequate sleep and eating healthy are general wellness goals (health promotion), but they are not specific crisis intervention strategies. For a patient who has just survived a suicide attempt, these instructions are too vague and do not address the immediate psychological safety needs required to prevent a relapse. B. This instruction is a form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) technique. By writing down emotions, the patient practices emotional regulation and self-reflection. This allows the patient to identify triggers and utilize their safety plan before their distress reaches an unmanageable level. It shifts the patient from a state of reacting to an emotion to observing it. C. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant and a potent disinhibitor. Its use significantly increases the risk of impulsive behavior and can deepen depressive symptoms. For a patient with a history of suicide attempts, total abstinence is typically recommended, especially during high-stress periods like holidays. D. Exercise is beneficial for long-term mental health, but joining a gym is a lifestyle recommendation rather than a clinical safety instruction. It does not provide the patient with the immediate psychological tools needed to navigate a mental health crisis or the sudden return of suicidal ideation.