Resource Tag: STANDARDS OF CARE

Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and is increasing in almost every state, despite rates falling globally. Often overlooked, health care systems and providers play an important and necessary role in reducing suicides. The myth has been that health care is not in a position to make a difference because […]

This guide has been produced by health care and suicide prevention experts working with the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance). The information is for health care organizations that wish to better identify and support people who are at increased risk of suicide and for advocates who will work with hospitals and clinics to […]

For surveys between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018. This supplement is intended to be used in conjunction with the 2017 Behavioral Health Standards Manual and contains standards and survey preparation questions applicable for comprehensive suicide prevention programs.

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The patient who is at-risk for suicide is complex and is difficult to evaluate and treat effectively. Should suicidal behavior occur, the clinician faces the potential wrath of bereaved survivors and their externalized blame exercised through a malpractice suit.

There is much debate about whether suicide can ever be rational. Designating suicide as an undesirable event that should never occur raises the debate of who is responsible for one’s life and runs the risk of erroneously attributing blame for suicide. While upholding patient rights of autonomy in psychiatric care is laudable, cases of suicidality […]

This guideline from Northern Ireland has 5 chapters: 1) essential facts & information on suicide, self-harm, & prevention; 2) models of good practice; 3) look after yourself & others – a directory of useful contacts for the Northern area; 4) current training programs; & 5) useful references & publications. The information in the guideline is […]

In this proposal, the Irish Association of Suicidology has set key priorities in relation to suicide & deliberate self-harm prevention, including: providing training to agencies working with people who are unemployed &/or experiencing financial hardship; guidelines for assessment & aftercare of deliberate self-harm presentations to emergency departments; expanding the Suicide Support & Information System; accreditation […]

Part 1 of this protocol is for substance abuse counsellors & has 2 chapters on working with clients with substance use disorders who have suicidal thoughts &/or behaviours. Part 2 is for program administrators & also has 2 chapters. Chapter 1 lay outs the rationale for the second chapter & helps administrators understand how they […]

This paper shows that preventing suicide risk in French prison regulations is thwarted in 2 prisons by professional criteria regarding credibility & solidarity, as well as by the balance of power between prisoners & guards, in addition to the realization, on the part of judges responsible for sentencing, of the risk posed by recidivists. The […]

This article explains correctional facilities’ obligation to provide for inmates’ mental health needs & describes correctional mental health processes & how psychiatrists can play a role in screening, evaluation, & suicide prevention. (12 refs.) JA Contact us for a copy of this article, or view online at http://www.antoniocasella.eu/archipsy/Burns_2011.pdf

The effect of engaging in an intensive research protocol that inquired extensively about psychiatric & suicide symptoms & explosed participants to a number of images, including suicide-related content, was explored. Individuals experiencing a major depressive episode were called at 1- & 3-months after the initial protocol. Partipants reported experiencing reductions in suicide ideation at the […]

This chapter opens by presenting data on the prevalence of suicide, suicide ideation, attempted suicide, other self-injurious behaviours, & stress among college & university students. Protective factors are discussed. The role of gatekeepers is outlined followed by an extensive discussion of assessment, intervention, & treatment, including psychological & pharmacological therapies. Involuntary hospitalization, practice recommendations, & […]

In an attempt to reduce suicide rates, efforts have focussed on detection & management of suicidal patients in primary care settings, given that an estimated 45% of suicide victims see their physician in the month prior to their death. This article reviews recent literature & provides an overview of suicide risk factors & assessment of […]

Despite their important roles, there is litte research that explores the experiences of school counsellors who have lost clients to suicide. In this study, 7 school counsellors were individually interviewed, & data were analyzed using a basic interpretative qualitative method informed by grounded theory. Themes related to training & practice standards, support resources, & self-care […]

This article explores how 2 psychiatric nurses construct & orient to accountability when talking of their experiences of a patient suicide. Discourse analysis was used to explore particular phrases that the nurses oriented to in their accounts: scene setting, risk assessment, attributing for the suicide. Findings highlight the different, sometimes contradictory, ways the nurses attended […]

This position statement discusses suicide & self-harm in gay, lesbian, bisexual, & transgender communities in Australia. The discussion includes a review of the complexity & diversity within & between these communities; risk factors; heterosexism, homophobia & transphobia; high risk groups; a multidisciplinary approach to suicide & self-harm prevention; building community capacity for mental health promotion […]

The authors discuss the clinical challenges of distinguishing real from feigned signs of recovery. Whereas genuine clinical improvement is a process, sudden patient improvement is a suspect event. The atuhors discuss clinical indicators that distinguish the two. They emphasize the importance of gathering corroborating evidence through communications with staff & the patient’s family. Suicide risk […]

This study examined the problem of suicides & attempted suicides in small jails, finding that the prevalence of these incidents is 2-5 times greater than in larger jails. Net of other factors, jails that had higher rates of admissions, as well as overcrowded facilities had a positive relationship with suicide attempts. It was also found […]

The ethical basis of suicide prevention is illustrated by contrasting helpline emergency rescue policies of the Samaritans & the American Association of Suicidology and the United States National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network. The authors contrast moralist, relativist, & libertarian ethical premises & question whether suicide can be rational. Samaritans respect a caller’s right to decide […]

The purpose of this study was to generate an emergent theory of the process of counselor supervision for counselor trainees who work with suicidal clients. The intent was to explore the perspectives of 5 counselor supervisors. An assumption was that counselor supervisors’ views about the process of counselor supervision with counselor trainees for suicidal clients […]

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In the category of malpractice liability affecting mental health practitioners of all disciplines, malpractice based on suicide is the leading claim by a significant margin. The first part of the discussion in this paper considers the theory, practice, & psychology of malpractice litigation itself in relation to suicide. The second part describes how those basic […]