The presentation describes cases involving a competent clinical assessment of suicide risk during which the patient assured the clinician that they were not thinking of harming or killing themselves, yet within seven days committed suicide. These unfortunate outcomes appear to now over-influence suicide prevention policies and the costs of suicide prevention. Despite the expense, both emotionally and economically, information and studies regarding lethal suicide deniers are lacking.

Learning Objectives

• Discuss the reality of false negatives in suicide prediction and prevention
• Explore the limits of behavioral predictions concerning suicidality
• Identify ways to cope with an investigation or lawsuit resulting from a false negative assessment for acute suicide

Level: Intermediate