This practical book equips nurses and health practitioners with essential knowledge and skills for understanding and supporting people experiencing suicidal thoughts and engaging in self-harm.

Exploring why people might experience suicidal ideation or feelings, or use self-harm, this skills-based book emphasises core skills a health practitioner needs to respond effectively and compassionately, dispelling myths and misconceptions that fuel stigma. It is informed throughout from service user perspectives and includes examples of good practice, suggestions for small changes that make meaningful differences, and reflective activities.

Promoting practice that enables people experiencing suicidal thoughts and engaging in self-harm to feel safer and more hopeful and to function at their best, this guide is an essential read for all health professionals.

Sarah Housden qualified as an occupational therapist in 1993 and has held positions promoting mental and physical health across charitable, private, and NHS settings with adults of all ages. Since 2014, she has worked at the University of East Anglia as an Associate Professor in Health Sciences where she aims to provide effective learning opportunities for pre- and post-qualifying nurses and allied health professionals through stimulating empathy and compassion for service users and patients. Additionally, she works part-time in the community for a charitable organisation to maintain awareness of issues affecting people every day in modern society and contemporary healthcare practice.