The Effects of the Use of “No‐Suicide Contracts” in Community Crisis Situations: The Experience of Clinicians and Consumers

Abstract

No-suicide contracts (NSCs) are commonly used in community crisis situations. Eight patients and nine nurses were interviewed to explore both how NSCs affect clinical outcomes and how suicidal persons experience their usage. The results suggest that suicide management decisions may be negatively affected and that some patients find the use of the tool to be unhelpful. While further research is needed, the results of this study suggest that careful consideration be given before NSCs are used in community crisis situations.