Againsta high-riskstrategyin the preventionof suicide

Standard approaches to the prevention of suicide have concentrated on the rigorous assessment and management of suicidal risk. Using deliberate self- harm as a specific example, we discuss the relative merits of this 'high-risk1strategy and compare it with a population-based preventive strategy. We conclude that a combined approach offers the best hope for reducing the rate of suicide, although it may not fit easily with medical models of care.