This guidance document is available for all services, however its intended use is for HSE provided and HSE funded Community Adult Mental Health and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services when there are sudden or unexpected deaths reported as suspected suicide that occur within the community setting. The overall purpose of the guidance is to support Community Mental Health Services to effectively utilise the Incident Management Framework as part of the service’s overall response when there is a sudden or unexpected death of a service user by suspected suicide that takes place within the community setting.

The Guidance aims to promote: • A compassionate, caring and person centred approach to those affected in the aftermath; • Respect and sensitivity for the wishes and experiences of families/their relevant person(s) and staff throughout the incident management process; • Awareness of HSE and community support services and resources available to those affected following the death of a service user by suspected suicide. • A standardised and proportionate response to operating the HSE Incident Management Framework, across all services; • Informed incident management decision making; • Learning from the review of incidents that identifies good practices and areas for service improvement with regard to suicide prevention; • Improved quality of data relating to suspected suicides that can contribute to mental health policy and suicide prevention strategies; • Confidence and trust in our governance and incident management processes;