NICE propose guidelines to reduce suicide risk after hospital stay
PROPOSED mental health guidelines could reduce the risk of people committing suicide.
NICE advises that families should be told about the risks when patients return home from hospital
Health watchdog NICE said an expert should be assigned to people's families to tell them about the risks when patients are discharged from hospital.
Professor Gillian Leng, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Health and Social Care at NICE said: "Over 1,000 people with mental health problems commit suicide every year in England, sometimes just weeks after being discharged from hospital."
"We can help reduce this number by better communication and more joint working between hospital and community mental health teams."
Some people commit suicide just weeks after being discharged from hospital
People with mental health problems can feel isolated when they are admitted to hospital away from home.
Between 2003 and 2013, more than 2,000 people committed suicide in the first three months after being discharged from hospital.
Research has shown communication with the patient's family could reduce suicide risk by 16 per cent.
Many people commit suicide after leaving the hospital
Guidance by NICE said a member of the patient's medical team should be assigned to the family to support them and assess the risk of the person self-harming.
Rebecca Harrington, an independent social care and health consultant and chair of the group that developed the guideline spoke out.
She said: "Our aim is that people who need hospital treatment for their mental health needs are well supported before, during and after their time in hospital, so that they benefit from continuity of treatment and care, and avoid being isolated and stigmatised."
People with mental health problems can feel isolated after being admitted to hospital
Nearly 2 million people sought help from mental health experts between 2013/2014.
For confidential support call the Samaritans in the UK on 116 123 or visit a local Samaritans branch