The Suicide Prevention Policy of a Mental Health Centre

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present the suicide prevention policy implemented by the Mental Health Centre in Brussels. The policy focuses on the quality of the help offered and on the efficacy of the services provided by the network of providers in mental health and social care. Goals of the policy are to optimise the care offered to clients at risk from suicidal behaviour; develop networks to enable follow-up with at-risk patients; lend support to and to share relevant knowledge with other caregivers; advocate suicide prevention issues within local networks; facilitate postvention; participate in regional and (international suicide prevention activities. The policy development started a..