Many patients who kill themselves do so by taking an overdose of prescribed medications, and physicians sometimes unwittingly provide the means for suicide in a single prescription. Few patients spontaneously report their suicidal thoughts and intentions so the clinician must be alert to signals that a patient may be at risk for suicide. Although the patient may not volunteer his or her suicidal intentions, the visit itself can be a cry for help. This is an important point, because the visit may provide the opportunity for a lifesaving intervention. If significant risk of suicide exists, this flow chart can be followed.
Depression is very treatable if recognized.