Psychological Approaches to Suicide Treatment and Prevention

In recent decades, the sub-specialization of “clinical suicidology” emphasizing suicide risk assessment, treatment, training, and the management of suicide-related liability has grown exponentially. This line of thinking had led to the development of suicide-specific treatments that target suicide as the focus of care (vs. a primary focus on treating mental disorders). These treatments are being extensively investigated using randomized controlled clinical trials to prove their efficacy and effectiveness. This article features the three main replicated treatments for suicide: Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Therapy for Suicide Prevention, and the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality. In addition, there is a recent surge of brief suicide-focused interventions (1–4 sessions) that include variations of stabilization planning and close examination of suicide attempts as an opportunity to learn about suicidal risk with coping-oriented guidance and support. Within a rapidly evolving contemporary mental health care reality, these suicide-related treatments and interventions hold great promise for the prospect of providing more effective (and potentially life-saving care) for suicidal patients.