# Staying Safe: lessons from suicide prevention for chiropractors and osteopaths

## TL;DR

This paper discusses how chiropractors and osteopaths can help prevent suicide by building strong patient relationships and addressing risk factors like chronic pain and isolation.

## Contribution

The paper applies NHS suicide prevention guidance to non-mental health practitioners, emphasizing relational and person-centred approaches.

## Key findings

- Chiropractors and osteopaths can contribute to suicide prevention through therapeutic relationships.
- A biopsychosocial approach helps address psychological distress in patients with musculoskeletal issues.
- Encouraging help-seeking behaviors supports patient wellbeing within professional boundaries.

## Abstract

Suicide remains a major cause of preventable death worldwide. A recent guidance document from NHS England (Staying Safe from Suicide, 2025) highlights the limitations of traditional suicide risk prediction methods and advocates for a relational, person-centred approach. While not mental health specialists, chiropractors and osteopaths often work closely with individuals facing musculoskeletal chronic pain, disability, financial stress, and social isolation, all of which are risk factors for psychological distress. This commentary explores how the NHS guidance offers key lessons for chiropractic and osteopathic practice. Valuable contributions to suicide prevention efforts can be made by fostering strong therapeutic relationships, adopting a biopsychosocial view of health, and encouraging help-seeking behaviours where needed. Through small, relational actions, practitioners can support patient wellbeing while working within the boundaries of their professional scope of practice.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12998-025-00607-x.