Patient Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention Strategies in Hospitals

CONCLUSION

Inpatient settings have a certain risk for suicide and self-harm among patients who may be suicidal or under stress from various causes. Though the hospital can be a place of restoration and healing, some aspects of hospital care may exacerbate suicide ideation and self-harm risk among patients. Therefore, hospitals should seek to implement guidelines that mitigate risk while still providing the patient with optimal care. While research exists to help mitigate this risk, more research and data collection is needed to find the most effective interventions. Research efforts being conducted around the world may identify measures that most effectively reduce incidences of suicide and self-harm.

AUTHOR

Christen Dunn holds a Master of Public Health degree and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Health Services Research at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va. Ms. Dunn’s current research interests include sleep and mental health related outcomes in a variety of populations.

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