L. G. Portier: A method of evaluating suicidal risks; the non-suicide contract
In this article I describe the practical use of a method of evaluating the suicidal risk with clients where acute suicidal behaviour is pregnant and where the therapist and client feel very insecure about the real suicidal behaviour of the client. A non-suicide contract which can be used in this process, is described in detail.
This a change contract, which the client makes with himself instead of making it with the therapist. The important differences between these two forms of contracts are made.
For the practical use a category of 4 suicide possibilities has been made: balance-suicide, conscious doubters, unconscious doubters and blackmailers. Our results with this method are excellent and have to be evaluated more.
We are intending to do so.