Clinical Risk Management in Mental Health Services: 10 Principles for Best Practice.

Risk assessment and management are a fundamental part of clinical practice globally within mental health services. In the United Kingdom (UK), the evidence to support the effectiveness of structured risk assessment and management remains limited, although the perception remains that structured management frameworks are effective in reducing risk in mental health care. Despite the importance of risk management within mental health services, the most recent UK wide guidance was published in 2009, while international guidance for the assessing and management of service user risks also appears sparse.