title: Attitudes towards suicidal behaviour in outpatient clinics among mental health professionals in Oslo.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To investigate attitudes of professionals working in mental health care outpatient clinics in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (CAP) (for children and adolescents aged 0-18 years) and District Psychiatric Centres (DPC) (for adults aged 18-67 years).
  
  
  METHODS
  Professionals in four outpatient units in Oslo were enrolled (n = 229: 77%). The Understanding of Suicidal Patient scale (USP) (11 = positive to 55 = negative) and Attitudes Towards Suicide questionnaire (ATTS) (1 = totally disagree to 5 = totally agree) were used to assess professionals' attitudes. Questions explored competence, religion, experiences of and views on suicidal behaviour and its treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the professionals indicated positive attitudes (USP 18.7) and endorsed the view that suicide was preventable (ATTS 4.3). Professionals who had received supervision or were specialists had attitudes that were more positive. Professionals in CAP were less satisfied with available treatment. Psychiatric disorders were considered the most common cause of suicidal behaviour, and psychotherapy the most appropriate form of treatment. The professionals confirmed that patients with other disorders of comparable severity are followed up more systematically.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The professionals showed positive attitudes with minor differences between CAP and DPC.
authors.affiliation: Diakonhjemmet hospital, Postboks 23, Vinderen 0319, Oslo. astridberge.norheim@diakonsyk.no
authors.forename: Astrid Berge
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Norheim
authors.forename: Tine Kristin
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Grimholt
authors.forename: Øivind
authors.initials: Ø
authors.lastname: Ekeberg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D012737:Sex Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce; D055815:Young Adult; D000092864:Suicide Prevention