Caretakers should be vigilant with regard to the potential occurrence of suicidal behaviors.
Where the potential for suicide is considered to be high, active interventions should be made to minimize the risk and identify and treat any associated psychiatric illness.
It should be recognized that it is not possible to eliminate all self-destructive behaviors, and that not all suicides are preventable.
There is an increasing awareness of the possibility of "rational" suicide and of the possibility that in some situations, especially in terminal illness or chronic illness with very poor quality of life, decisions by competent patients to refuse treatment or nutrition may have to be respected. Ruling out depression in these instances is a therapeutic priority.
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