Continuity of Care in the Treatment of Suicide Attempters – Current Challenges

Suicide attempters presenting for hospital treatment are a major public health challenge in most countries. Their tendency to drop out of treatments & their high risk of repeat suicidal behaviour call for systematic assessments, in-hospital management, treatment engagement, & follow-up treatments after discharge from hospital. However, hospital services provided for suicide attempters & follow-up care may have highly variable quality & favouable care programs may deteriorate over time for various reasons. Effective & sustainable treatments & interventions to create cohesive chains of care are needed to release the substantial suicide prevention potential that exists in this population. (21 refs.) JA