Living with risk

There is a mistaken belief among many members of the public, supported by inaccurate media reporting, that mental health service users are dangerous. Research evidence consistently shows that they make only a modest contribution to violence. Indeed, service users are much more likely to be a risk to themselves and to be victims rather than perpetrators of crime. This topical report explores risk assessment and risk management for people being discharged from psychiatric hospital into the community. It breaks new ground by asking service users about their views on, and experiences of, posing a former or potential risk to other people. The report also includes information about the harm that service users experienced, and explores the perspectives of mental health workers, relatives and friends about risks and their management. "Living With Risk" provides vital information about: service user involvement in risk assessment and risk management; services provided to manage risk; and the views of service users about support provided. The report makes recommendations for improving policy and practice which will be valuable to service users, their relatives and friends, mental health workers, managers and those responsible for mental health policy development and training.