This guideline focuses on the assessment and treatment of suicidal patients and describes current knowledge on the prevention of suicides by health care interventions and in health care settings among youths, adults and the elderly. Comprehensive assessment and evidence -based interventions such as safety plan and CBT focused on suicidality are recommended. Easy accessible diverse evidence -based treatment of psychiatric disorders is essential, a majority of suicidal patients suffer from psychiatric disorders. Recommendations of pharmacological treatments with e.g. lithium, clozapine or ketamine relate to concurrent psychiatric disorders.

The working group apponted by the Finnish Medical Society Duodecim, MIELI Mental Health Finland, the Finnish Psychiatric Association, the Finnish Association of Adolescent Psychiatry and the Finnish Association for General Practice

Sami Pirkola (Chair), Heidi Eriksen, Erkki Isometsä, Aino Joensuu, Pekka Jylhä, Virve Kekkonen, Hannu Koponen, Lauri Kuosmanen, Taina Laajasalo, Tanja Laukkala, Mauri Marttunen, Kirsi Suominen and Kristian Wahlbeck; Writing group’s consultants: Maaret Castren, Jukkapekka Jousimaa and Kaarlo Simojoki