CSP welcomes NICE guidance on suicide prevention

This is according to a new quality standard on suicide prevention, published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

It outlines ways to reduce suicide and help people bereaved or affected by suicide, and describes high-quality care and priority areas for improvement.

Jenny Nissler, CSP professional adviser, said it was important for members to be aware of the standard’s guidance on suicide prevention.

‘In particular, the fourth quality statement, as this gives information on confidentiality for health and social care practitioners who encounter adults presenting with suicidal thoughts or plans,’ she said.

‘This includes whether the person would like their family, carers or friends to be involved in their care, and to what extent.

‘And it also covers making the person aware of the limits of confidentiality, further signposting to the Department of Health statement on Sharing information and Suicide Prevention.’

She added that, for general guidance on confidentiality, members should refer to the Department of Health document Confidentiality: NHS Code of Practice

As well asproviding advice for healthcare professionals, the new NICE standard also calls for organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors to adopt a multi-agency suicide prevention partnership.

Every Mind Matters

This week Public Health England launched Every Mind Matters, a clinically assured campaign aimed at helping adults to take care of their own mental health.  CSP is backing the campaign, which coincides with World Mental Health Day on 10 October.