title: Evaluation and care of suicidal behavior in emergency settings.
abstract: The author offers a sequential protocol for the evaluation and care of suicidal behavior in emergency settings. This protocol contains the following components: 1) a review of the limitations of clinical and demographic risk factors; 2) an exploration of frequent negative reactions that arise during the suicidal encounter in clinicians; 3) an objective schema for grading suicidal behavior; 4) an understanding of chronic suicidal behavior; and 5) a flexible treatment approach. Pertinent literature on suicide evaluation and management is reviewed with an emphasis toward the clinical applicability in emergency settings.
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003419:Crisis Intervention; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004637:Emergency Services, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services; D012008:Recurrence; D012306:Risk; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology; D000092864:Suicide Prevention