SHORES: A suicide protective factors mnemonic with applications in career counseling

Abstract

An established suicide protective factors mnemonic is beneficial to career counselors as career-related suicide concerns increase. SHORES stands for skills and strategies for coping (S), hope (H), objections (O), reasons to live and restricted means (R), engaged care (E), and support (S). This literature-backed suicide resiliency tool applies across client populations and to career assessment, intervention, and ongoing counseling. We establish the clear overlap between work and suicide, describe SHORES applied in career counseling, and provide an illustrative case example. Particular implications include SHORES in screening and comprehensive client conceptualization as well as needed research on SHORES in career practice.