When a person at risk of suicide has been to the Emergency Department, the decision to return home is made by consensus, and the responsibility is shared by everyone involved. The professionals will likely have indicated that we must maintain safety and support measures, that the person should not be alone, especially during the first few weeks, and that we should ensure they receive follow-up care at community mental health services.

There are rarely very reassuring messages, because zero risk doesn't exist. The recovery of autonomy must be gradual: greater control upon hospital discharge, and progressively more autonomy (it should never include, for example, taking responsibility for self-medication). If, despite all the measures taken, we still feel that the person cannot assume more autonomy, we must express this directly and openly, because after leaving the emergency room, there are no more secrets in this area. Even so, if we continue to have excessive worry, we should inform their mental health professional, who may be able to schedule an earlier appointment to address this concern, or may recommend a return to the emergency room.