Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dzt6s Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-28T12:57:40.419Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Acute Cognitive Therapy in Reducing Suicide Risk Following a Presentation to an Emergency Department

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2012

Albert Anthony Catanese*
Affiliation:
Southern Health, Victoria, Australia. tonycatanese@optusnet.com.au
Michael Stephen John
Affiliation:
Peninsula Health, Victoria, Australia.
John Di Battista
Affiliation:
Southern Health, Victoria, Australia.
David M. Clarke
Affiliation:
Monash University, Australia.
*
*Address for correspondence: Albert Catanese, 4 Wills Street, Glen Iris, Victoria, 3146, Australia.
Get access

Abstract

The ACT (Acute Cognitive Therapy) Program was implemented as a patient follow-up initiative to respond to people presenting to emergency departments with suicidal behaviour or ideation, in a psychosocial crisis. Over 12 months 188 patients were referred to the program of which 160 attended at least one appointment and 109 completed the program. Pre- and postmeasures indicated that significant improvement occurred in those who completed the program, that improvements were maintained at 6 months and representation rates were reduced. Immediate short-term directed treatment appears beneficial in the short and medium term, and the rapidity and location of follow-up appears to promote compliance.

Type
Standard Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)