Suicide Guideline Available on APA Web Site

APA issued its first guideline on the assessment and treatment of patients with suicidal behaviors last November, and the guideline is now posted on APA’s Web site at www.psych.org/psych_pract/treatg/pg/prac_guide.cfm.

The guideline, titled “Practice Guideline for the Assessment and Treatment of Patients With Suicidal Behaviors,” was first published as a supplement to the November 2003 issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry. Its aim is to help psychiatrists better understand the prevalence rates, risk factors, and protective factors for patients who are at risk for suicide (Psychiatric News, July 18, 2003).

Also included are recommendations for psychotherapeutic and pharmacologic treatments for at-risk patients.

Douglas Jacobs, M.D., who is executive director of Screening for Mental Health and an associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, chaired the work group that developed the guideline.

The practice guideline will also be available for purchase through American Psychiatric Publishing Inc. in its next compendium of practice guidelines, titled American Psychiatric Association Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders: Compendium 2004. The compendium is scheduled for a May release.

The practice guideline book can be purchased from American Psychiatric Publishing Inc. by phone at (800) 368-5777 or online at www.appi.org. ▪