A panorama of the medicolegal aspects of suicide assessments: integrating multiple vantage points in improving quality, safety, and risk management

Abstract

Abstract Epidemiological trends in global suicides have been of serious concern in the last decade. The burden of higher expectations in the assessment of suicidal behaviors on mental health professionals is mounting. However, the suicidal risk assessment has many evolving and moving parts, and is one of the most heavily researched fields in psychiatry. Although it is clear from current empirical research that suicide cannot accurately be predicted, the standard of care from regulatory bodies and professional organizations dictates the use of established measures and following consensus guidelines. However, the legal system has different parameters to assess for the deviation from these standards and views it from a different vantage point. Therefore, it is imperative to know these critical multifaceted panoramas of suicide assessment. Considering the gaps within suicide risk assessment tools, we propose that appropriate documentation and thorough treatment planning are key to navigating the complex medicolegal risks. These approaches are useful for risk management and improve clinical outcomes, quality of care, and overall patient safety.