The Evaluation and Management of the Suicidal Patient (IN: Emergencies in Mental Health Practice: Evaluation and Management, edited by P M Kleespies)

In this chapter, the problem of evaluating & managing acute suicide risk is discussed as follows: crisis, emergency, & suicide risk; background influences on suicide risk assessments; resources for a good emergency evaluation; the first 5 objectives of the evaluation; exploring suicidal thoughts & behaviour; psychological dimensions of suicide risk; management issues; & legal considerations. (19 refs.)