Emergency departments
Many people who make medically serious suicide attempts will present to emergency departments at their local hospital. Guidelines recommend that people who present in this way should receive a suicide risk assessment and a psychiatric assessment, and that a treatment and care plan and crisis plan should be developed for each person before discharge. Follow-up and ask to make sure you get the best possible health care service. Guidelines recommend that family and significant others be consulted for information in assessment of the patient, and in developing treatment, care and crisis plans.
Hospitalisation
Sometimes people who are at very high risk of suicide can end up in hospital. Having a family member or friend in hospital can be worrying and stressful. Most people in hospital find regular visits from whanau, family and friends important. This does help recovery. One of the advantages of being in hospital is the level of monitoring and safety because people at high risk of suicide are not left alone. It also provides an opportunity to try out medication, if this is necessary, under the watchful eye of experts.
Respite care
Sometimes a stay in hospital is the best option for recovery – and sometimes it isn’t. Respite is a short-term solution that can sometimes provide an alternative to hospital admission for people who are experiencing distress and crisis. These short-stays are in peaceful, friendly environments in ordinary houses where staff offer support during the day and night. People in respite are carefully monitored closely in these houses and sometimes there are arrangements in which, for their own safety, people are not able to leave the houses on their own. This can provide a place of safety and peace of mind when people are in crisis. In some regions services can provide urgent support to people in respite houses. Ask mental health services about respite care options.
Consent
It’s important that we try and get consent from the person we’re worried about and involve them as much as possible in the process of seeking help.
People usually get the right to make their own decisions about treatment. However, on rare occasions when someone is a high risk to themselves and, “there is a serious danger to the person’s health and safety” they may be admitted to a service without their consent under the Mental Health Act (1992).
You can find out more about the Act on the Parliamentary Counsel Office website.
Under these exceptional circumstances the person is considered to have a mental disorder which is defined legally as “posing a serious danger to the health or safety of that person or someone else”, or means “the person can’t take care of themselves”.
Find out more about mandatory mental health assessments and the legal definition on the Ministry of Justice website.
If a family member has been admitted under the Mental Health Act, you have the right to participate in, and be consulted about the assessment, treatment and care of your whanau/family member.
