Understanding suicidal ideation and assessing for risk

Abstract

The UK government's health strategy, The Health of the Nation , included a target for reducing the population suicide rates by 15% over an 8-year period [Department of Health (1992), London: HMSO]. This thrust has been carried forward in subsequent work embodied in the ninth standard of the National Service Framework for Mental Health [Department of Health (1999), London: HMSO] and Safety First: FiveYear Report of the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness [Department of Health (2001), London: HMSO]. A crucial aspect in reducing suicide rates is the accurate assessment of those who may be at risk to enable appropriate interventions to take place.While any person who wants to end his or her own life may find a way to do so, it is most important for the clinician to approach any potential suicide with the conviction that it is possible to prevent at least some suicides. This paper outlines best practice regarding the exploration and assessment of suicidal ideation and suicidal potential.