How can I effectively implement suicide prevention strategies in my practice?

Implement suicide prevention strategies in your general practice by conducting comprehensive psychosocial assessments that focus on the person's needs, safety, and support network, including social and home situations, and recognizing risk factors such as depression, physical ill health, and social isolation ¹.

Develop and review individualised care and safety plans collaboratively with the person, their family, and carers, ensuring the plans include triggers, warning signs, coping strategies, and contact details for mental health services, including out-of-hours support ¹.

Use safety plans to establish means of self-harm, recognize triggers, and identify social contacts for distraction and support, sharing these plans with relevant professionals and accessible to the person at times of crisis ¹.

Ensure continuity of care by minimizing staff changes, making care plans accessible, and maintaining visible, accessible staff to foster interaction and trust ¹.

Assess the safety of the environment, involving the person in decisions about restricting items that may be used for self-harm, and help them become familiar with the care setting to promote safety and support ¹.

Consider harm minimisation strategies, such as distraction techniques and coping strategies, only after a psychosocial assessment, and in collaboration with the person and their family, focusing on hope and recovery ¹.

Ensure staff are trained in clinical observation and know how to raise concerns promptly, and involve multidisciplinary teams in reviewing care plans for those with frequent episodes or where treatment is ineffective ¹.