Critical Points in the Assessment and Management of Suicide Risk (IN: The Harvard Medical School Guide to Suicide Assessment and Intervention, edited by D G Jacobs)

This chapter discusses critical points at which traditional information might fall short, including: the recognition that we are all patients, diagnosis, the limitations of risk factor scales, the role of alcohol, the problem of schizophrenia, the problem of emotional exhaustion, the role of personality, suicide as a power mechanism, the problem of high-functioning persons, the use of contracts, legal considerations, & the problem of chronic suicidality. Clinical implications are reviewed.