Suicide Prevention in Primary Care: General Practitioners’ Views on Service Availability

This study described the services available in general practices for the management of suicidal patients & examined the views of general practitioners on these services. A questionnaire & interview study was done in the north west of England. Data were collected from general practitioners & practice managers in 167 practices. Responses suggested there was greater availability of services & training for general mental health issues than for suicide prevention specifically. The 3 key themes emerging from the interviews were: barriers accessing primary or secondary mental health services; obstacles faced when referring a patient to mental health services; & managing change within mental health care services. (27 refs.) JA