Suicide, mental disorder and responsibility

Abstract

Suicide is a problem for society. On examination, current medical/legal concepts of suicide and responsibility rely on imprecise definitions and neglect aspects of suicide which are social rather than medical. A non-medical approach to those cases of people at risk who do not suffer a mental disorder is suggested, along with factors to be considered when the actions of mental health professionals are being evaluated. © 2009, NAPICU. All rights reserved.