Suicide and self-harm prevention Proper supervision of prisoners and the ability of staff to identify those at risk are key components of effective suicide and self-harm prevention. If a staff member suspects that a prisoner is at risk of suicide or self-harm, or if a suicide attempt or self-harm has occurred, they should take the following actions. 'Suicide is often the single most common cause of death in correctional settings... [ a ] stressful event for officers and other prisoners faced with it.' Immediate actions: • Secure the area and provide any first aid necessary. • Inform healthcare staff and managers immediately. • Ensure uninterrupted supervision of the prisoner and provide them with human contact. • Initiate meaningful conversations with the prisoner. • Remove any items which could be used for suicide or self-harm.18 • Inform other staff members of the situation. • Do not place the prisoner in isolation. Longer-term actions: • Ensure the prisoner is seen and treated by a mental health professional. • Provide them with appropriate support and counselling. • Place them in suicide-safe accommodation and reduce access to means of suicide and self-harm. • Properly supervise and monitor all those at risk. • Properly report, record and investigate all incidents of suicide and self-harm, including to determine what authorities could have done better to prevent them. Prison staff must: • Not punish prisoners for self-harm incidents and suicide attempts. For more information on preventing suicide and self-harm go to: World Health Organization, Preventing Suicide in Jails and Prisons (who.int/mental_health/resources/preventingsuicide/en; available in multiple languages). 17 19