Specific Treatment Standards (References 1&2)

 

Low to Moderate Suicide Risk

• Outpatient or partial hospitalization
• Support from family members and significant others: Identifying social support and individuals to help during a time of crisis.
• Community resources: Social support offered in the community, like Alcoholics Anonymous when the person at risk has substance abuse problems.
• Counseling Resources: Regular appointments with a counseling and more frequent appointments during a time of crisis.
• Referral for Intensive Outpatient Treatment: People who are at a moderate to high risk of suicide should be considered for referral for intensive outpatient treatment if available.
• Referral for psychiatric evaluation

Moderate to High Suicide Risk

• The interventions listed above PLUS
• Removal of means: The available means (such as a weapon or pills) to carry out the act of suicide is removed from the home by someone other than the suicidal person
• Referral for psychiatric evaluation
• Treatment referral: Referral to intensive outpatient treatment program or emergency mental health facility may be appropriate

 

High Suicide Risk

• The interventions listed above PLUS
• Immediate referral to a hospital or emergency mental health facility

Contact the police or 911 for those persons at highest risk who are also unwilling to go to the hospital or emergency mental health facility.