Does every allusion to possible suicide require the same response?

Recommendation. Patients endorsing a specific plan or intention to harm themselves require immediate psychiatric evaluation for safety, and should be transported to an emergency department. A family member should be notified of the patient’s suicide plan or intention.

Follow-up. Following emergency room evaluation and possible inpatient hospitalization, these patients should be referred to a mental health specialist for ongoing treatment and monitoring.

CORRESPONDENCE
Patrick J. Raue, PhD, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 21 Bloomingdale Road, White Plains, NY 10605. E-mail: praue@med.cornell.edu