Suicidal ideation care plan


3 Suicide Behaviors Nursing Care Plans

Home » Nursing Care Plans » 3 Suicide Behaviors Nursing Care Plans

Updated on

By Paul Martin, BSN, R.N.

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Suicide is the intentional act of killing oneself. Suicidal thoughts are common in people with depression, schizophrenia, alcohol/substance abuse and personality disorders (antisocial, borderline, and paranoid). Physical illness (chronic illness such as HIV, AIDS, recent surgery, pain) and environmental factors (unemployment, family history of depression, isolation, recent loss) can play a role in the suicide behavior.

Nursing Care Plans

The nursing care plan for suicidal patients involves providing a safe environment, initiating a no-suicide contract, creating a support system and ensuring close supervision.

Here are three (3) nursing care plans (NCP) and nursing diagnosis for suicide behaviors:

  1. Risk For Suicide
  2. Ineffective Coping
  3. Hopelessness

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Risk For Suicide

Nursing Diagnosis

  • Risk For Suicide

Risk Factors

  • Alcohol and substance abuse/use.
  • Abuse in childhood.
  • Family history of suicide.
  • Fits demographic (children, adolescent, young adult male, elderly male, Native American, Caucasian).
  • Grief, bereavement/loss of an important relationship.
  • History of prior suicide attempt.
  • Hopelessness/helplessness.
  • Legal or disciplinary problems.
  • Physical illness, chronic pain, terminal illness.
  • Psychiatric illness (e.g., bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia).
  • Poor support system, loneliness.

Possibly evidenced by

  • Statements of despair, helplessness, hopelessness and nothing left to live for.
  • Suicide plan (clear and specific, lethal method and available means).
  • Suicide behavior (attempt, ideation, talk, plan, available means).
  • Suicide cues
    • Covert: Making out a will, giving valuables away, writing forlorn love notes, taking out large life insurance policy.
    • Overt: “No one will miss me”; “No reason to live for”; “I’d be better off dead”.

Desired Outcomes

  • Patient will refrain from attempting suicide.
  • Patient will make a no-suicide contract with the nurse covering the next 24 hours, then renegotiate the terms at that time (If in hospital and accepted at your institution).
  • Patient will remain safe while in the hospital, with the aid of nursing intervention and support (if in the hospital).
  • Patient will stay with a friend or family if the person still has the potential for suicide (if in the community).
  • Patient will join family in crisis family counseling.
  • Patient will have links to self-help groups in the community.
  • Patient will keep an appointment for the next day with a crisis counselor (if in the community).
  • Patient will identify at least one goal for the future.
  • Patient will uphold a suicide contract.
  • Patient will state that he or she wants to live.
  • Patient will name at least one acceptable alternative to his or her situation.
  • Patient will name two people he/she can call if thoughts of suicide recur before discharge.
Nursing InterventionsRationale
In the Community:
Arrange for the client to stay with family or friends. A hospitalization is considered if there is no one is available especially if the person is highly suicidal.Relieve isolation and provide safety and comfort.
Encourage the client to avoid decisions during the time of crisis until alternatives can be considered.During crisis situations, people are unable to think clearly or evaluate their options readily.
Encourage the client to talk freely about feelings and help plan alternative ways of handling disappointment, anger, and frustration.Gives client other ways of dealing with strong emotions and gaining a sense of control over their lives.
Weapons and pills are removed by friends, relatives, or the nurse. To provide a safe environment, free from things that may harm the client.
If anxiety is extremely high, or client has not slept in days, a tranquilizer might be prescribed. Only a 1 to 3 day supply of medication should be given. Family member or significant other should monitor pills for safety.Relief of anxiety and restoration of sleep loss can help the client think more clearly and might help restore some sense of well-being.
Contact family members, arrange for individual and/ or family crisis counseling. Activate links to self-help groups.Reestablishes social ties. Diminishes sense of isolation, and provides contact from individuals who care about the suicidal person.
In the Hospital:
During the crisis period, health care workers will continue to emphasize the following four points:
  1. The crisis is temporary.
  2. Unbearable pain can be survived.
  3. Help is available.
  4. You are not alone.
Because of “tunnel vision“, clients do not have perspective on their lives. These statements give perspective to the client and help offer hope for the future.
Forensic Issues:
Follow unit protocol for suicide regarding creating a safe environment (taking away potential weapons– belts, sharp objects, items, and so on).Provide safe environment during time client is actively suicidal and impulsive; self-destructive acts are perceived as ties, the only way out of an intolerable situation.
Keep accurate and thorough records of client’s behaviors (verbal and physical) and all nursing/physician actions.These might become court documents. If client checks and attention to client’s needs or request are not documented, they do not exist in a court of law.
Put on either suicide precaution (one-on-one monitoring at one arm’s length away) or suicide observation (15-minute visual check of mood, behavior, and verbatim statements), depending on level of suicide potential. Protection and preservation of the client’s life at all costs during crisis is part of medical and nursing staff responsibility. Follow unit protocol.
Keep accurate and timely records, document client’s activity, usually every 15 minutes (what client is doing, with whom, and so on). Follow unit protocol.Accurate documentation is vital. The chart is a legal document as to client’s “ongoing status,” intervention taken, and by whom.
Encourage the client to talk about their feelings and problem solve alternatives.Talking about feelings and looking at alternatives can minimize suicidal acting out.
Construct a no-suicide contract between the suicidal client and nurse. Use clear, simple language. When the contract is up, it is renegotiated (If this is accepted procedure at your institution).The no-suicide contract helps client know what to do when they begin to feel overwhelmed by pain (e.g., “I will speak to my nurse/counselor/support group/family member when I first begin to feel the need to end my life”).

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Recommended Resources

Recommended nursing diagnosis and nursing care plan books and resources.

Disclosure: Included below are affiliate links from Amazon at no additional cost from you. We may earn a small commission from your purchase. For more information, check out our privacy policy.

  • Nursing Care Plans: Nursing Diagnosis and Intervention (10th Edition)
    An awesome book to help you create and customize effective nursing care plans. We highly recommend this book for its completeness and ease of use.
  • Nurse’s Pocket Guide: Diagnoses, Prioritized Interventions and Rationales
    A quick-reference tool to easily select the appropriate nursing diagnosis to plan your patient’s care effectively.
  • NANDA International Nursing Diagnoses: Definitions & Classification, 2021-2023 (12th Edition)
    The official and definitive guide to nursing diagnoses as reviewed and approved by the NANDA-I. This book focuses on the nursing diagnostic labels, their defining characteristics, and risk factors – this does not include nursing interventions and rationales.
  • Nursing Diagnosis Handbook, 12th Edition Revised Reprint with 2021-2023 NANDA-I® Updates
    Another great nursing care plan resource that is updated to include the recent NANDA-I updates.
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5(TM))
    Useful for creating nursing care plans related to mental health and psychiatric nursing.
  • Ulrich & Canale’s Nursing Care Planning Guides, 8th Edition
    Claims to have the most in-depth care plans of any nursing care planning book. Includes 31 detailed nursing diagnosis care plans and 63 disease/disorder care plans.
  • Maternal Newborn Nursing Care Plans (3rd Edition)
    If you’re looking for specific care plans related to maternal and newborn nursing care, this book is for you.
  • Nursing Diagnosis Manual: Planning, Individualizing, and Documenting Client Care (7th Edition)
    An easy-to-use nursing care plan book that is updated with the latest diagnosis from NANDA-I 2021-2023.
  • All-in-One Nursing Care Planning Resource: Medical-Surgical, Pediatric, Maternity, and Psychiatric-Mental Health (5th Edition)
    Definitely an all-in-one resources for nursing care planning. It has over 100 care plans for different nursing topics.

See also

Other recommended site resources for this nursing care plan:

  • Nursing Care Plans (NCP): Ultimate Guide and Database MUST READ!
    Over 150+ nursing care plans for different diseases and conditions. Includes our easy-to-follow guide on how to create nursing care plans from scratch.
  • Nursing Diagnosis Guide and List: All You Need to Know to Master Diagnosing
    Our comprehensive guide on how to create and write diagnostic labels. Includes detailed nursing care plan guides for common nursing diagnostic labels.

Other care plans for mental health and psychiatric nursing:

  • Alcohol Withdrawal | 5 Care Plans
  • Anxiety and Panic Disorders | 7 Care Plans
  • Bipolar Disorders  | 6 Care Plans
  • Major Depression | 9 Care Plans
  • Personality Disorders | 4 Care Plans
  • Schizophrenia | 6 Care Plans
  • Sexual Assault | 1 Care Plan
  • Substance Dependence and Abuse | 8 Care Plans
  • Suicide Behaviors | 3 Care Plans

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Categories Mental Health and Psychiatric Care Plans, Nursing Care Plans Tags depression, hopelessness, ineffective coping, major depression, Personality Disorders, Risk for Suicide, Suicide

Paul Martin, BSN, R.N.

Paul Martin is a registered nurse with a bachelor of science in nursing since 2007. Having worked as a medical-surgical nurse for five years, he handled different kinds of patients and learned how to provide individualized care to them. Now, his experiences working in the hospital is carried over to his writings to help aspiring students achieve their goals. He is currently working as a nursing instructor and have a particular interest in nursing management, emergency care, critical care, infection control, and public health. As a writer at Nurseslabs, his goal is to impart his clinical knowledge and skills to students and nurses helping them become the best version of themselves and ultimately make an impact in uplifting the nursing profession.

© 2022 Nurseslabs | Ut in Omnibus Glorificetur Deus!

Risk for Suicide Nursing Care Plan - Nursing Diagnosis and Care Planning

Home » Nursing Care Plans » Nursing Diagnosis » Risk for Suicide Nursing Care Plan

Updated on

By Gil Wayne, BSN, R. N.

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Use this nursing diagnosis guide to help you create a Risk for Suicide Level nursing care plan.

Suicide is a serious public health problem that is increasing exponentially in every part of the world. The majority of patients who engage in suicidal attempts have a psychiatric disorder. Mood disorders such as depression and bipolar manic-depression are by far the most prevalent psychiatric conditions linked to suicide. Whereas patients with schizophrenia or an organic brain disorder are strongly linked to a higher-than-normal chance of suicide and suicide attempts with voices that tell them to hurt himself or herself. Other factors that may affect the risk for suicide include mental disorders, substance misuse, psychological states, cultural, family, and social situations, and genetics.

Common suicide methods in men include asphyxiation, hanging, firearms, jumping, moving objects, sharp objects, and vehicle exhaust gas, while women tend to use a vaster variety of suicide methods than men. Common suicide methods in women include self-poisoning, exsanguination, drowning, hanging, and firearms.

The role of the nurses particular to suicide prevention or patients at risk for suicide includes both systems and patient-level interventions. At the systems level, the nurse evaluates and controls environmental safety, improves protocols, policies, and practices consistent with zero suicide, and associates in training for all milieu staff. At the patient level, the nurse assesses outcomes of all interventions, evaluates risk for suicide, monitors and manages at-risk patients, and provides suicide-specific psychotherapeutic interventions. Nurses’ hands-on patient care is vital by taking all threats or suicide attempts seriously and emphasizing a relationship alliance by developing rapport for the patient.

Risk for Suicide Nursing Assessment

Assessment is necessary in order to identify potential problems that may have lead to suicide and also name any event that may happen during nursing care.

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AssessmentRationale
Talk to the patient to evaluate the potential for self-injury.Patients considering suicide may display verbal and behavioral cues about their intent to end their life.
Ask the following questions:
  • “Have you ever considered harming yourself?”
Suicide ideation is the manner of thinking about killing oneself. The patient’s risk for suicide progresses as these thoughts become more frequent.
  • “Have you ever attempted suicide?”
The patient’s status of suicide risk is distinguished if there is a history of earlier suicide attempts.
  • “Do you currently consider like killing yourself?”
This allows for the person to discuss feelings and issues openly.
  • “What are your plans with regard to killing yourself?”
Citing a plan and the ability to carry it out greatly increase the risk for suicide. The more harmful the plan, the more serious the risk for suicide.
  • “Do you trust yourself to maintain control over your insights, emotions, and motives?”
Patients with suicidal thoughts may sense their authority of suicidal thoughts slipping away, or they may feel themselves surrender to a desire to end their life.
Observe for risk factors that may increase the chance of suicide attempt.It is a myth that suicide occurs without forewarning. It is also a myth that there is a typical type of a suicidal person. Anyone can be a victim of suicide.
  • History of suicide attempt by oneself or within the family
This increases the risk for suicide.
  • Suicidal thoughts or statements
Most of the patients with suicide attempts give verbal cues of their plans to do so. The person may talk idealistically about release from his or her life and the resolution of problems.
  • Substance use
Alcohol and drug abuse increase the risk of suicide. The highest risk is among patients who have substance abuse problems.
  • Sleep habits
History of severe insomnia is one factor associated with suicide risk.
  • History of mood disorders
Mood disorders such as depression and bipolar manic-depression are by far the most prevalent psychiatric conditions linked to suicide.
  • Unexplained happiness or drive
This sudden behavioral modification may represent the person’s decision to carry out a suicide plan.
  • Male gender
Men die by suicide around four times more frequently than women, whereas women attempt suicide two to three times more frequently than men.
  • Giving away personal possessions
This action signifies the person’s detachment and withdrawal from life.
Determine particular stressors.Determining causative factors aids in developing appropriate coping strategies. Suicide seemed to be an acceptable solution when a person can not find any more solution to his or her problem.
Appraise all possible and beneficial coping methods.Patients with history of ineffective coping may need new resources.
Assess the need for hospitalization and safety precautions.Patient safety is always a priority. Patients with suicidal attempts should be in a setting with direct supervision.
Assess all support resources available to the patient.Depression leads to a sense of hopelessness and the person involved may isolate himself or herself and may be unable to consider available supports.
Assess decision-making and problem-solving energy.Impulsivity may be an element of mood and bipolar disorder. Patients may need supervision in decision-making until the mood has been stabilized.

Risk for Suicide Nursing Interventions

The following are the therapeutic nursing interventions for Risk for Suicide nursing diagnosis:

Nursing InterventionsRationale
Render close patient supervision by sustaining observation or awareness of the patient at all times.Suicide may be an impulsive act with little or no warning. Close supervision is a must.
Provide a safe environment. Weapons and pills should be removed by friends, relatives, or the nurse.Removing potentially harmful objects prevents the patient from acting or sudden self-destructive impulses.
Present opportunities for the patient to express thoughts, and feelings in a nonjudgmental environment.It is helpful for the patient to talk about suicidal thoughts and intentions to harm themselves. Expressing their thoughts and feelings may lessen their intensity. Also, they need to see that staff are open to discussion.
Create a verbal or written contract stating that the patient will not act on impulse to do self-harm.This method establishes permission to talk about the subject.
Stay with the patient more often.This approach provides the patient with a sense of security and strengthens self-worth.
Disincline the patient in making decisions during severe stress.Patients can learn to recognize mood changes that indicate problems with impulsivity or indicate a deepening depressive state.
Help the patient with problem-solving in a constructive manner.Patients can get to identify situational, interpersonal, or emotional triggers and learn to assess a problem and implement problem-solving measures before reacting.
Arrange for the client to stay with family or friends. A hospitalization is considered if there is no one is available especially if the person is highly suicidal. Relieve isolation and provide safety and comfort.
Educate the patient in the appropriate use of medications to facilitate his or her ability to cope.Drug therapy may benefit the patient endure underlying health problems such as depression.
Contact family members, arrange for individual and/ or family crisis counseling. Activate links to self-help groups.Reestablishes social ties. Diminishes sense of isolation, and provides contact from individuals who care about the suicidal person.
Educate the patient cognitive-behavioral self-management responses to suicidal thoughts.Patient learns to identify negative thoughts and develops positive approaches and positive thinking.
Introduce the use of self-expression methods to manage suicidal feelings.Patients are better to acknowledge and safely handle suicidal feelings by programs such as keeping journals and calling hotlines.

Recommended Resources

Recommended nursing diagnosis and nursing care plan books and resources.

Disclosure: Included below are affiliate links from Amazon at no additional cost from you. We may earn a small commission from your purchase. For more information, check out our privacy policy.

  • Nursing Care Plans: Nursing Diagnosis and Intervention (10th Edition)
    An awesome book to help you create and customize effective nursing care plans. We highly recommend this book for its completeness and ease of use.
  • Nurse’s Pocket Guide: Diagnoses, Prioritized Interventions and Rationales
    A quick-reference tool to easily select the appropriate nursing diagnosis to plan your patient’s care effectively.
  • NANDA International Nursing Diagnoses: Definitions & Classification, 2021-2023 (12th Edition)
    The official and definitive guide to nursing diagnoses as reviewed and approved by the NANDA-I. This book focuses on the nursing diagnostic labels, their defining characteristics, and risk factors – this does not include nursing interventions and rationales.
  • Nursing Diagnosis Handbook, 12th Edition Revised Reprint with 2021-2023 NANDA-I® Updates
    Another great nursing care plan resource that is updated to include the recent NANDA-I updates.
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5(TM))
    Useful for creating nursing care plans related to mental health and psychiatric nursing.
  • Ulrich & Canale’s Nursing Care Planning Guides, 8th Edition
    Claims to have the most in-depth care plans of any nursing care planning book. Includes 31 detailed nursing diagnosis care plans and 63 disease/disorder care plans.
  • Maternal Newborn Nursing Care Plans (3rd Edition)
    If you’re looking for specific care plans related to maternal and newborn nursing care, this book is for you.
  • Nursing Diagnosis Manual: Planning, Individualizing, and Documenting Client Care (7th Edition)
    An easy-to-use nursing care plan book that is updated with the latest diagnosis from NANDA-I 2021-2023.
  • All-in-One Nursing Care Planning Resource: Medical-Surgical, Pediatric, Maternity, and Psychiatric-Mental Health (5th Edition)
    Definitely an all-in-one resources for nursing care planning. It has over 100 care plans for different nursing topics.

See also

Other recommended site resources for this nursing care plan:

  • Nursing Care Plans (NCP): Ultimate Guide and Database MUST READ!
    Over 150+ nursing care plans for different diseases and conditions. Includes our easy-to-follow guide on how to create nursing care plans from scratch.
  • Nursing Diagnosis Guide and List: All You Need to Know to Master Diagnosing
    Our comprehensive guide on how to create and write diagnostic labels. Includes detailed nursing care plan guides for common nursing diagnostic labels.

ADVERTISEMENTS


Categories Nursing Diagnosis Tags Nursing Care Plan, Nursing Care Plans, Nursing Diagnoses, Nursing Diagnosis, psychiatric nursing, Risk for Suicide, Suicide

Gil Wayne, BSN, R. N.

Gil Wayne graduated in 2008 with a bachelor of science in nursing. He earned his license to practice as a registered nurse during the same year. His drive for educating people stemmed from working as a community health nurse. He conducted first aid training and health seminars and workshops for teachers, community members, and local groups. Wanting to reach a bigger audience in teaching, he is now a writer and contributor for Nurseslabs since 2012 while working part-time as a nurse instructor. His goal is to expand his horizon in nursing-related topics. He wants to guide the next generation of nurses to achieve their goals and empower the nursing profession.

© 2022 Nurseslabs | Ut in Omnibus Glorificetur Deus!

Get help & support for suicide

If you’re in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, find help in your area with Find a helpline.

If you believe that someone else is in danger of suicide and you have their contact information, contact your local law enforcement for immediate help. You can also encourage the person to contact a suicide prevention hotline using the information above.

Learn more about personal crisis information with Google Search.

Google’s crisis information comes from high-quality websites, partnerships, medical professionals, and search results.

Important: Partnerships vary by country and region.

Korea Suicide Prevention Center
Country Hotline organization Website Phone number
Argentina Centro de Asistencia al Suicida www.asistenciaalsuicida.org (011) 5275-1135
Australia Lifeline Australia www.lifeline.org 13 11 14
Austria Telefon Seelsorge Osterreich www. telefonseelsorge.at 142
Belgium Center de Prevention du Suicide www.preventionsuicide.be 0800 32 123
Belgium CHS Helpline www.chsbelgium.org 02 648 40 14
Belgium Zelfmoord 1813 www.zelfmoord1813.be 1813
Brazil Centro de Valorização da Vida www.cvv.org 188
Canada Crisis Services Canada crisisservicescanada.ca 833-456-4566
Chile Ministry of Health of Chile www.hospitaldigital.gob 6003607777
China Beijing Suicide Research and Prevention Center www. crisis.org 800-810-1117
Costa Rica Colegio de Profesionales en Psicologia de Costa Rica psicologiacr.com/aqui-estoy 2272-3774
France SOS Amitié www.sos-amitie.org 09 72 39 40 50
Germany Telefon Seelsorge Deutschland www.telefonseelsorge.de 0800 1110111
Hong Kong Suicide Prevention Services www.sps.org 2382 0000
India iCall Helpline icallhelpline.org 9152987821
Ireland Samaritans Ireland www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help 116 123
Israel [Eran] ​​ער"ן www. eran.org 1201
Italy Samaritans Onlus www.samaritansonlus.org 06 77208977
Japan Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology www.mext.go.jp 81-0120-0-78310
Japan Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan www.mhlw.go 0570-064-556
Malaysia Befrienders KL www.befrienders.org 03-76272929
Netherlands 113Online www.113.nl 0800-0113
New Zealand Lifeline Aotearoa Incorporated www.lifeline.org 0800 543 354
Norway Mental Helse mentalhelse. no 116 123
Pakistan Umang Pakistan www.umang.com.pk/ 0311-7786264
Peru Linea 113 Salud www.gob.pe/555-recibir-informacion-y-orientacion-en-salud 113
Philippines Department of Health - Republic of the Philippines doh.gov.ph/NCMH-Crisis-Hotline 0966-351-4518
Portugal SOS Voz Amiga www.sosvozamiga.org

213 544 545

963 524 660

912 802 669

Russia Fund to Support Children in Difficult Life Situations www.ya-parent.ru 8-800-2000-122
Singapore Samaritans of Singapore www. sos.org 1-767
South Africa South African Depression and Anxiety Group www.sadag.org 0800 567 567
South Korea 중앙자살예방센터 www.spckorea.or 1393
Spain Telefono de la Esperanza www.telefonodelaesperanza.org 717 003 717
Switzerland Die Dargebotene Hand www.143.ch 143
Taiwan 国际生命线台湾总会 [International Lifeline Taiwan Association] www.life1995.org 1995
Ukraine Lifeline Ukraine lifelineukraine.com 7333
United Kingdom Samaritans www. samaritans.org/how-we-can-help 116 123
United States 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 988lifeline.org 988

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Parents

Helpline

Information about the unified all-Russian children’s helpline

0446 8-800-2000-122 .

When calling this number in any locality of the Russian Federation from fixed or mobile phones, children in difficult life situations, adolescents and their parents, other citizens can receive emergency psychological assistance, which is provided by specialists of services already operating in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation that provide services for telephone counseling and connected to a single all-Russian number of children's helpline.

Confidentiality and free of charge are the two main principles of the children's helpline. This means that every child and parent can anonymously and free of charge receive psychological assistance and the secrecy of his call to the helpline is guaranteed.


Working hours of the children's helpline in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation


(as of October 1, 2013) 38 -PIC AO
Name of the subject of the Russian Federation 9Arkhangelsk region 09.00-22.00
22 with Nenets Autonomous Okrug daily 09.00-17.30
23 Vologda region around the clock
24 Kaliningrad region daily0039 around the clock
35 Chechen Republic 08.30-20.00
South Federal District
37 Republic of Adygea
Kalmykia Pon-Pip. 8.00-17.00
3
80 Magadan region Pon.-Pon. ​​10.00.22.00
81 Sakhalin Region
900
83 Chukotka AO Mon-Fri 09.00-22.00, closed 16.00-22.00

Infographics. The principle of operation of a single federal helpline number for children, adolescents and their parents


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