Inadequate Staff Training

Negligence may be traced back to a lack of training

Suicide does not occur out of the blue. Mental health professionals should be trained to know the clues to suicide, the relevant risk factors, and the proper way to inquire about suicidal thinking. Questions about suicide should not be asked of the patient in a rote fashion. The patient must feel a genuine sense of concern on the part of the health care provider, or he or she may not share or describe their suicidal thinking.

Unfortunately, clinicians often lack the training necessary to conduct a proper suicide risk assessment. Mental health clinicians usually receive very little training in how to deal with people who are suicidal. With all their years of training, most physicians begin their practice with only six to eight hours of training in general psychiatry. Some medical schools are trying to beef up mental health training, but it's an area that gets hardest hit when there are budget cuts.

No one will be sued if they act responsibly and provide the proper standard of care. Responsibility comes with training, but the people being trained should be compassionate, caring individuals who have a genuine desire to be in the mental health field.

Psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals may fail to provide competent care for a variety of reasons. Too often these failures result in the needless suicides of their patients, people whose instinct to live has been stripped by the mental disorder that plagues them.

How a lawyer can help answer questions about your potential case

For a free consultation, call 214-618-8222 or complete our online contact form. Attorney Skip Simpson can evaluate your claim and answer your questions. We understand how devastating a suicide can be on a family. We will do our best to assist you with your potential claim.

The Law Offices of Skip Simpson - we're on your side.