Suicide Risk Assessment
Prompt Questions:
- Are you thinking of suicide?
- Have you thought about Suicide in the last two months?
- Have you ever attempted to kill yourself?
- If the caller answers “yes” to any of these questions, please complete the following risk assessment.
Risk Assessment:
SUICIDAL DESIRE
Suicidal Ideation
- killing self and others
Psychological pain
Hopelessness
Helplessness
Perceived burden on others
Feeling trapped
Feeling intolerably alone
SUICIDAL CAPABILITY
History of suicide attempts
Exposure to someone else’s death by suicide
HIstory of/current violence to others
Available means of killingself/other
Currently intoxicated
Substance abuse
Accute symptoms of mental illness, for example:
- Recent dramatic mood change
- Out of touch with reality
Extreme agitation/rage, for example:
- Increased anxiety
- Decreased sleep
SUICIDAL INTENT
Attempt in progress
Plant to kill self/other
- method unknown
Preparatory behavious
Expressed intent to die
BUFFERS/CONNECTEDNESS
Immediate supports
Social supports
Planning for the future
Engagement with helper
- Telephone worker
Ambivalence for living/dying
Core values/beliefs
Sense of purpose
Source: Suicide Prevention Lifeline www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
