The Suicidal Patient: Clinical and Legal Standards of Care

A valuable source for practicing psychologists, psychologists in training, attorneys, and mental health professionals in general, this third edition is a thorough update of a now classic text in the field of suicidology. With over 500 new references, the authors distill the empirical research findings of the past two decades into effective clinical strategies and guidelines that can significantly enhance the quality of care in this high-risk practice area. The Suicidal Patient provides an overview of the legal landscape, evaluates evidence-based assessment methods, and reviews treatment and management strategies for both outpatients and inpatients. Bongar and Sullivan propose practical risk management strategies for suicide prevention and postvention, emphasizing the importance of effective evaluation and documentation. Significant and extensive new material has been included on firearms, veterans and the military, diversity, and sexual minority status. This practical resource can help clinicians, supervisors, and administrators provide better care for suicidal patients, and ultimately help better serve all patients -- with the ultimate goal of saving lives.