Around the world, suicide has a longstanding relationship with the criminal justice system. During the 20th and 21st Centuries, many countries have decriminalised attempted suicide, though it remains a statutory criminal offence in 20 countries. Law enforcement agencies are frequently the first responders to psychiatric emergencies including suicide attempts. Involvement with the criminal justice system is a risk factor for suicide. In addition to mental health legislation, police and court powers within criminal legislation are often used to enforce treatment. This session presents the ethical considerations for psychiatrists, nurses, and other mental health practitioners from a contemporary and historical perspective. Delegates will consider professional duties to patients, and constructive approaches to situations where these may conflict with law enforcement and criminal justice priorities. The benefits and harms of different legislative approaches to mental disorders and suicide will be discussed from professional and lived experience perspectives. The authors will present early results of a scoping review on criminal sanctions for self-harm and suicidality in non-violent patients in the UK. The contribution of criminal justice systems to suicide prevention at individual and population level will be discussed, with proposals for public health and clinical interventions.
Chair: Dr Sarah Eales, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Bournemouth University
Suicide and criminal justice - Dr Andrew Molodynski, Consultant Psychiatrist, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
Suicide-related police and court interventions in practice: a patient perspective - Dr Emma McAllister, Expert by Experience
Criminal sanctions for suicidality: a scoping review - Dr Alex Thomson, Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, Vice Chair, RCPsych Liaison Psychiatry Faculty
