What Every ED Nurse Should Know About Suicide Risk Assessment

Abstract

Suicide is internationally recognized as a major cause of preventable death, particularly among older adults and persons with a history of psychiatric and/or substance use disorders. Historical perceptions of suicide still have an impact on modern attitudes, assumptions, and practices. Perceptions about suicide are generally defined by spiritual, cultural, ethnic, and social factors. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines suicide as “death caused by self-directed injurious behavior with any intent to die as a result of the behavior” (p. 25). 1 Crosby AE Ortega L Melanson C Self-directed Violence Surveillance: Uniform Definitions and Recommended Data Elements. Version 1.0. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Atlanta, GA2011 Google Scholar Deborah Antai-Otong is Continuous Readiness Officer and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Department of Veterans Affairs, Arlington, TX.