A Date With Death: Management of Time-Based and Contingent Suicidal Intent

The authors outline the challenges posed by patients who voice suicidal intent in terms of the future or in terms of certain life contingencies. Problematic cases can be grouped into categories that offer insight as to management. The authors suggest that therapists treat expressed suicidal intent as a communication to be explored, explore the problem of helplessness, assess the patient’s competence to inform clinicians about suicidal state, & readily use involuntary commitment. (29 refs.)