ABSTRACT
Any level of suicidality warrants the person receiving an initial assessment, safety plan and treatment plan. This is based on the fact that suicide is highly unpredictable and many who die by suicide have been deemed low risk. If the risk of suicide is considered to be high or uncertain, the person should be referred immediately to mental health services. People at high risk and unable to keep themselves safe may be offered admission to a psychiatric unit and if this is refused detained involuntarily under the Mental Health Act. However, the evidence for inpatient care and a medication-only approach for suicidal risk is either limited or totally lacking. Thus, the “one-size-fits-all” approach to treating suicidal risk needs to be re-considered in lieu of the evolving evidence base. Essentially detention in hospital under the Mental Health Act is considered if the patient’s health or safety is at risk or the safety of others is at risk.
