Non-maleficence calls for whatever it takes to assure the client's life. Justice and Suicide Clinicians must treat all consistently. Fairness cannot be assumed. Concluding Comments Clinicians often equate what's legal with what's ethical. In most cases, the law sets only minimum standards of conduct.
Ethics demands more.
This is especially true in regard to suicidal individuals. This may take two forms. The first applies where the victim completes suicide while not currently or recently in the care of a clinician. The second applies where the victim was currently under care but not for a condition associated with suicidality. The clinician had no basis to assume or suspect risk.