title: A guide to risk assessment.
abstract: Mental health service users experience increased risk in relation to a number of specific problems, including an increased risk of suicide, self-injury, neglect, exploitation (physical, financial or sexual) and violence towards others. Risk assessment is linked to the practice of risk management, whereby a mutually agreed plan, aimed at reducing identified risks, is negotiated with the individual concerned. The plan incorporates specific therapeutic strategies and is a collaborative, interactive and dynamic process rather than something that is 'done to' the person. Although risk assessment is a core nursing skill, it needs to occur within the multi-professional context and involves other relevant disciplines.
authors.affiliation: Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, Bath.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Harrison
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D000092864:Suicide Prevention