Opinion

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Abstract
Summary: Nursing people at risk from suicide, in hospital or in the community, requires a basis in research that, as a first principle, identifies sampling techniques, methods of data collection, and means of analysis, that derive meaningful heterogeneous characteristics from discrete and large populations. Suicide risk scales (in the form of a questionnaire that the rater scores on a number of variables) provide a baseline upon which other methods must elaborate. We must give more credence and take into account a person's life story, rather than look for specific, recurring factors from which to derive main findings. Whilst recognizing the significance of scientific agreement on the central role of depression in suicide, the quality of peoples' relationships, alienation, and how it is that depressed people become isolated, provide essential data to help in the prevention of suicide. This is particularly important in view of the valuable data from survey research. These data identify vulnerable groups, for example adolescents, who are vulnerable due to economic and social pressure, substance abuse, and physical and sexual abuse; people with depression; prisoners; and people who deliberately harm themselves, most frequently by drug overdose or self‐laceration. Commissioners of services committed to reducing the morbidity of suicide will need useful population‐based health assessment, effective methods for measuring results, and techniques for priority setting.

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