What legal duty do therapists have with suicidal clients?

Therapists have a legal and ethical obligation termed "duty to protect" when working with suicidal clients. This duty requires therapists to take necessary steps to safeguard the client's well-being when there is a credible threat of self-harm or suicide. This often includes assessing the risk, creating safety plans, and, if necessary, making referrals for hospitalization or notifying family members or appropriate authorities if the client poses a significant risk to themselves.

This duty is grounded in the ethical principle of beneficence, which emphasizes the importance of acting in the best interests of the client. By fulfilling the duty to protect, therapists seek to prevent harm and promote the client's mental health and safety, demonstrating their commitment to responsible and ethical practice in situations where the risk of suicide is present.