Wenn Suizidgedanken bleiben – Erfahrungen von psychiatrisch und psychotherapeutisch ambulant Tätigen mit (persistierenden) Suizidgedanken

This study explored how outpatient mental health professionals experience and treat patients with persistent suicidal ideation (PSG).From Nov 2024 to Apr 2025, 207 professionals (M=39.5; 82.1% female) completed an online survey on prevalence, attitudes, and treatment strategies.86.5% had worked with PSG patients; estimated 12-month prevalence was 14.4%. Affective disorders (43%) were the most common diagnosis. Main interventions included crisis plans (68.1%) and skills training (55.1%). Risk assessments were routine for 77.8%; 43% reported hospital admissions due to increasing risk. Only 10.6% addressed the functionality of PSG in therapy.PSG is frequent in outpatient care but is rarely addressed in depth. Further training and research are needed.