[The suicidal crisis in emergency departments]

Professionals working in emergency departments have an important role to play in assessing and orienting suicidal patients. A patient's suicide risk must be assessed using the 'Risk-Emergency-Dangerousness' grid. The main objective of the initial care is to buy time in order to avoid the patient attempting suicide. Enabling the patient to return home accompanied by a close friend or family member after their visit to the emergency department must be favoured whenever possible, by proposing close monitoring.