Suicide guidelines welcomed

Guidelines to help clinical staff deal with the aftermath of cases of suspected suicide, developed by Leeds Mental Health teaching trust, are attracting 'huge national interest' because of a lack of national policy, according to one of the authors.

Annie Greenwood-Gilyard, clinical nurse advisor (mental health) for the trust, told a suicide prevention conference in Harrogate that there was a lack of written national policy to 'enable clinical staff to deal with a suspected suicide or 'near miss' as effectively and sensitively as possible'.

The guidelines include advice on co-ordinating incidents, informing relatives, assisting the police, media communication and psychological support for staff.