Suicide Prevention: The Hospital's Role

The acute suicidal state is short, and all but a few persons who succeed in killing themselves actually have a passionate desire to go on living. These facts set the stage for a prophylactic approach to the problem, says Dr. Shneidman. Alertness by physicians and other hospital personnel to premonitory signs in the suicidal individual, followed by prompt mobilization of personal and community resources, can result in the prevention of many suicides.