Continuity of care in the treatment of suicide attempters--current challenges.

Suicide attempters presenting for hospital treatment is a major public health challenge in most countries. Their tendency of dropping out of treatments and their high risk of repeat suicidal behavior call for systematic assessments, in-hospital management, treatment engagement and follow-up treatments after discharge from hospital. However, hospital services provided for suicide attempters and follow-up care may have highly variable quality and favorable care programs may deteriorate over time for various reasons. Effective and sustainable treatments and interventions to create cohesive chains of care are needed to release the substantial suicide prevention potential that exist in this population.