Suicidality

The chapter describes ways of understanding, predicting, and managing suicidality and self-harm in people with severe and enduring mental illness in contact with community outreach teams. Data on incidence are presented with evidence on associations with factors such as demographics, diagnosis, co-morbidity, and life events as a way of identifying risk factors. Validated tools and frameworks for assessment are presented and critiqued with research evidence for the effectiveness of interventions. The chapter concludes with a case study, care plan, and risk management plan of a man whose life has been devastated by psychotic illness.