Description and evaluation of a manualised procedure after suicidal ideation/suicide attempt

Objective/Methods: Suicidal ideation and suicide attempts are common in psychiatric inpatients. Since many wards are characterised by a high turnover, we aimed at developing a standardised procedure how to deal with patients after suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. This is the understanding of postvention as prevention. The manual was designed to offer the opportunity to reassess the suicidality, identify early warning sings, develop alternative coping strategies and involve relevant others in future emergency plans. Results: The manual was appreciated both by patients and therapists. Among the limitations are the frequent lack of relevant others among our addicted patients as well as the short duration of their stay at hospital. Conclusion: Despite the above mentioned limitations, the approach seems promising. We aim at further elucidating the usefulness in different settings.