Outpatient Management of Suicidal Patients (IN: Risk Management With Suicidal Patients, edited by B Bongar, A L Berman, R W Maris, M M Silverman, E A Harris & W L Packman)

In this chapter, each of 13 elements of a plan for the outpatient care of the suicidal patient are discussed. These elements are: initial & concurrent evaluations; estimation of risk; need for hospitalization; psychopharmacotherapy; social support; individual & family therapy; concurrent substance use treatment; medical consultation; outpatient ECT; psychoeducation; access to help; realistic goals; & record keeping. The chapter ends with a brief discussion of helping the survivors of suicide.