Suicide prevention in mental health services

People experiencing mental illness often face a greater risk of suicide than people with good mental health.

Those experiencing suicidal thoughts often find it difficult to approach or engage with appropriate services because of the shame and stigma associated with suicide.

The Department of Health & Human Services has produced a detailed series of guidelines on Working with the suicidal person, which aim to help mental health services and clinicians to assess, manage and work with people who have made a suicide attempt or are at risk of taking their own lives.

Suicide risk assessment

Working with the suicidal person, has practices and principles to aid assessment and manage people at risk.

Suicide risk - treatment and care of people at risk

Treatment and care of people at risk of suicide should be appropriate and involve the person in planning.

Suicide - discharge and follow-up of a person at risk

Suicide risk is at its greatest just after discharge from inpatient care. Maintain continued care.

Suicide - overcoming language barriers for people at risk

Language can be a major barrier when assessing and treating people at risk of suicide or self-harm.

Suicide risk and Aboriginal people

Suicide incidence in Aboriginal communities is estimated as 40 per cent higher than in the wider population.

Downloads

Working with the suicidal person: Clinical practice guidelines for emergency departments and mental health services

Working with the suicidal person - a summary guide for emergency departments and mental health services 2010

Working with the suicidal person: Comprehensive suicide-risk assessment in the emergency department - Quick reference guide 2010

Working with the suicidal person: Immediate management of suicide risk in the emergency department - Quick reference guide 2010

Working with the suicidal person: Rapid suicide-risk assessment at emergency department triage

Downloads

Suicide risk assessment and management - literature review 2010

Working with the suicidal person: Rapid suicide-risk assessment at mental health service triage - Quick reference guide 2010

Working with the suicidal person: Suicide risk in the elderly - Quick reference guide 2010

Working with the suicidal person: Assessing suicide risk in intoxicated persons - Quick reference guide 2010

Working with the suicidal person: Assessment and management of suicide risk in people who repeatedly self-harm - Quick reference guide 2010

Reviewed 28 May 2015