Suicidal ideation

Abstract

Doctors commonly encounter patients expressing suicidal thoughts, and who may have acted upon these thoughts. Self-destructive behaviour can appear in several forms: • suicide • attempted suicide • self-injurious behaviour without suicidal intent. Completed suicide is relatively rare and can have a profound effect on family and friends. The Office for National Statistics recorded 6045 completed suicides amongst people aged over 15 in 2011, with the highest rate being in middle-aged men [1]. Healthcare professionals may also be deeply affected by a completed suicide, with a sense of guilt and failure. Added to this is scrutiny of the treatment offered through the Serious Untoward Incident review process. Recent case law has found Trusts increasingly liable to protect individuals who present with a ‘ real and immediate ’ risk of suicide [2, 3].