RAISR4D Suicide

Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Addressing Suicidality

26/06/2026

AI Summary

Differentiate passive wishes for death from active suicidal intent and assess immediacy, plan, and means to guide appropriate clinical response.
Identify and treat modifiable contributors to suffering, including uncontrolled symptoms, depression, hopelessness, and social isolation, using evidence-informed interventions.
Use interdisciplinary, compassionate communication, involve families, create safety plans, and arrange urgent psychiatric consultation when indicated.

J Palliat Med. 2026 Jun 26:10966218261462648. doi: 10.1177/10966218261462648. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Suicidal ideation (SI) is a complex phenomenon occurring across populations and is especially prevalent among patients with serious illness. Palliative care (PC) clinicians often care for patients at elevated risk for SI and are well positioned to identify and respond to suicidality. Clinical encounters may require distinguishing passive wishes for death from active suicidal intent, addressing modifiable sources of suffering, and supporting patients and families through emotionally complex conversations. Practical, evidence-informed guidance can help clinicians approach these encounters with greater clarity and confidence. In this article, an interdisciplinary group of PC, psychiatry, psychology, social work, and chaplaincy clinicians shares ten tips for caring for patients with serious illness who experience SI.

PMID:42359596 | DOI:10.1177/10966218261462648

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