ABSTRACT
Suicide completion within psychiatric hospitals is fortunately rare but, when it occurs, can have deleterious effects on both patients and staff. For a trainee studying to be a psychologist, it can have a profound impact on their development as a clinician. Although graduate programs are now more mindful of core competencies needed in suicide assessment and treatment, there is room for improvement. As a result, this chapter focuses on several topics germane to suicide treatment and outcome within an inpatient hospital. It highlights an approach to suicide intervention that is collaborative and patient-centered. Case examples are provided to elucidate the difficulty in providing training and education during this challenging time. The chapter concludes that clinical psychology trainees, working with suicidal patients, must be carefully supervised and mentored with respect to risk assessment, clinical intervention, and reactions to loss.
