Coroner's inquest into an Australian television anchorwoman's suicide: implications for clinical practice and suicide prevention

In 2010, a coroner’s inquest was held into the 2007 suicide of Ms. Charmaine Dragun, an Australian TV news anchorwoman. The main findings were that if Ms. Dragun had been diagnosed with bipolar II disorder and prescribed a mood stabilizer, her suicide could have been prevented; that the “cross-tapering” treatment by her psychiatrist and the clinical management by her health care professionals were inadequate; and that the incorporation of meditation and mindfulness in therapy was inappropriate. In this article, I examine the coroner’s findings and recommendations alongside the evidence tendered at the inquest. I also discuss (a) whether bipolar II disorder is under- or overdiagnosed; (b) the responses to the coroner’s findings on bipolar II disorder; (c) the impact of the coroner’s findings and recommendations on health care professionals and the public; (d) my personal reflections; and (e) my recommendations for making suicide prevention programs more effective: increased open-minded and respectful collaboration among professionals, the importance of educating legal professionals about the reality of clinical practice, and promoting recognized suicide prophylactic measures. For health care professionals worldwide, especially clinicians, this “Australian Story” provides important insights and lessons.