Suicide: Assessment and Management

Course overview

Suicide remains a major global public health concern, accounting for more than 700,000 deaths annually and ranking as the fourth leading cause of death among individuals aged 15 to 29. Suicidality affects people of all ages, sexes, and backgrounds. It often presents across multiple clinical settings, including primary care, emergency departments, and inpatient units. Despite the availability of evidence-based screening tools and intervention pathways, healthcare professionals continue to face difficulty in accurately identifying and caring for patients at risk. Uncertainty persists among clinicians regarding next steps after a positive screen, which contributes to a practice gap in suicide prevention. Effective suicide risk management requires not only early identification but also structured assessment, timely intervention, and safe patient disposition strategies.