Suicide risk assessment practices: A national survey of generalist drug and alcohol residential rehabilitation services

Abstract

Introduction and Aims. Clients of drug and alcohol treatment services represent a high-risk group for attempted and completed suicide. The current study sought to examine suicide risk assessment practices in Australian generalist residential rehabilitation services. Design and Methods. Semistructured interviews were conducted with managers of residential rehabilitation services and with volunteers from staff responsible for the case management/treatment of clients. Results. Ninety per cent of services participated. In total, 64 managers and 142 staff were interviewed. One-third of services had no documented policy for the assessment and management of suicide risk, and one-quarter of staff had never received formal training in risk assessment. In more than one-third of agencies staff were not expected to use a structured suicide risk assessment tool when assessing a client's acute risk. To varying degrees agencies were gathering information about psychiatric comorbidity, but this information did not appear to be routinely integrated into the client's suicide risk assessment. Discussion and Conclusions. The development of clearly documented polices, standardised assessment tools and the provision of annual training for all staff would help to address some of the gaps identified in current practice.[Ross J, Darke S, Kelly E, Hetherington K. Suicide risk assessment practices: A national survey of generalist drug and alcohol residential rehabilitation services. © 2012 Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs.