Suicidal individuals have the right to know that medications are available, which present viable means for stabilizing their situation. The Code should encourage medical evaluations of all clients at risk. All referrals must be made in a timely manner, and there must be follow-up. Suicidal individuals have a right to acknowledgment of their pain. It is intense, poorly assessed and under-treated.
Few clinicians are prepared to deal with severe pain.
Psychologists must deal with pain in those they serve. Suicidal individuals have the right to aggressive intervention by those responsible for their care when they are manifesting critical symptoms. The Code recognizes that legal obligations may limit these rights at times. The Code should include suicidality as a situation when the individual's autonomy and self-determination are abrogated. We do not expect psychologists to prevent the suicide of every at risk patient they serve.