Although the of deliberate self-poisoning or self-injury patients who psychiatric inpatient care is fairly small, this group is of special importance because it includes those most likely to have serious psychiatric disorders, those at special risk of suicide or further attempts, and some patients who very difficult management problems. A case has been made for brief admission of patients who may not be suffering from psychiatric disorders, but who are in a state of particularly severe crisis. Clearly, the decision to admit a patient to hospital must be taken only after very careful consideration.

When a patient is admitted to a psychiatric inpatient unit the clinical should avoid the temptation to treatments immediately, especially those of a nature. Better management is likely to result from a of careful observation and , with support being provided at this time through frequent with nursing and other ward staff. A simple problem-orientated of can both management and between staff members. In units which employ a multidisciplinary , each patient might be one member of staff (a " therapist") who has the main responsibility for dealing with the patient's problems. This should avoid advice or . Above all else, it is important that psychiatric inpatient care is based on a carefully , especially for patients at particular risk of suicide. If a suicide should in hospital it is recommended that attention is paid to dealing with the resultant feelings both of patients and staff.

(Attempted suicide by Keith Hawton and Jose Catalan)