ABSTRACT
The limited training that mental health professionals receive relating to the assessment and management of suicidality may contribute to the burden felt by clinicians working in health care settings. Although approximately 90% of mental health professionals report having an actively suicidal patient on their caseload, fewer than half receive suicide-specific training. The limited training that mental health professionals receive relating to the assessment and management of suicidality may contribute to the burden felt by clinicians working in health care settings. Awenat et al urge service providers to recognise the emotional labour of caring for patients who are suicidal by actively encouraging staff uptake of training and clinical supervision and recommend that training and support should extend beyond risk assessment to improving staff skills in developing therapeutic interactions with inpatients who are suicidal. All staff in secondary mental health services and liaison psychiatry services should be trained to deliver an evidence-based Suicide-focused interventions.
