Suicide Risk Assessment and Management — Jinnah Hospital, Lahore

Suicide remains a significant public health challenge worldwide, demanding skilled, compassionate, and culturally responsive clinical care. This session, From Crisis to Care: Suicide Risk Assessment and Management, is designed to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and practical skills required to identify, assess, and manage individuals at risk of suicide across diverse clinical settings.

Led by Dr. Craig L. Katz, MD, Professor of Psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, the workshop integrates internationally recognized evidence-based practices with the sociocultural realities that shape mental health care in Pakistan. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of suicide risk assessment, acute intervention strategies, safety planning, and long-term recovery-oriented care.

The program will explore key components of suicide prevention, including the recognition of suicidal ideation, intent, and planning; risk stratification frameworks; management decisions regarding inpatient versus outpatient care; and structured follow-up approaches that support sustained recovery. We also are honored to have Dr. Sadia Yasir, Associate Professor and Head of Department at Jinnah Psychiatry to talk about the cultural, social, ethical, and forensic dimensions of suicide within the Pakistani context, enabling participants to deliver care that is both clinically sound and culturally sensitive.