ABSTRACT
The literature on the legal ramifications of suicide for the health care practitioner, school or mental health counselor is limited. Given the fact that suicide touches the roles of practitioners in the health care professions, the mental health profession, and the legal profession, this dearth of information constitutes a rather unusual situation. This chapter discusses issues relating to whether or when the law will hold a health care practitioner, school or mental health counselor responsible for an adolescent suicide attempt or completion. In addition, suggestions for what practitioners can do during the process of treatment or counseling therapy to avoid law suits are provided.
