As we continue to mourn the loss of Robin Williams, an iconic entertainer and comedian, it’s important for us to take a step toward learning from his death. As nurses, our responsibilities to our patients are numerous, but we know that safety is a number one priority. Even if we don’t routinely care for patients with mental illness, patients that we encounter may have a mental illness of which we are unaware. Some patients may have an undiagnosed or newly diagnosed disorder that may increase their suicide risk, whether due to its pathophysiology or its impact on quality of life. In nursing school, we learned about suicidal ideation and how to do a suicide assessment. I’d like to share some resources from our journals with you to revisit this important topic.

Assessing patients for suicide risk
Nursing2010 

Suicide Prevention in Neurology Patients: Evidence to Guide Practice
Journal of Neuroscience Nursing

All along the watchtower: Suicide risk screening, a pilot study 
Nursing Management

As If the Cancer Wasn't Enough... A Case Study of Depression in Terminal Illness
Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing

Additional Resources
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
National Alliance on Mental Illness
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Directory of support groups