Psychiatric consultation for suicidal behaviour in emergency departments: a comparison between the university hospital Systems of Alessandria and Novara

This multicentric study revealed significant territorial differences in psychiatric emergency management between Novara and Alessandria. The Novara centre manages a younger population with complex, chronic psychiatric disorders, requiring an intensive, hospital-oriented approach. Alessandria serves an older population with higher conscious suicidal intent, managed primarily through territorial services. Standardisation of diagnostic protocols-particularly substance use screening-is essential for valid epidemiological comparison and uniform, evidence-based care.