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What varying approaches do you take in suicide risk assessments?

Do you use different approaches in different settings (i.e., the ED vs. outpatient clinic)? Do you use different approaches for chronic vs acute suicidal thoughts and do you use risk assessment scales?
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Do you use suicide risk assessment scales in routine suicide risk assessment?

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4 Answers
Mednet Member
Mednet Member
Psychiatry · Northwell Health
Answered on · Updated on

I agree with the following from Dr. @Dr. First Last:

"Ultimately, no scale or method is going to be perfect. We are unfortunately bad at predicting which individuals with suicidal ideation progress to an attempt. The most we can do is gather as much information as possible about how someone is feeli...

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Psychiatry · McLean Hospital
Answered on

I do use the C-SSRS. I find that it is a useful framework for the different levels of severity of suicidal ideation, and it is most effective when assessing more than one point in time. I think that regardless of what scale you use, a good risk assessment for suicide should include a description of ...

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Mednet Member
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Psychiatry · Mindpath Care Centers
Answered on

Combining a questionnaire with an individualized approach for each patient is the best.

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Mednet Member
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Psychiatry · Private Practice
Answered on · Updated on

I, too, have found that an individualized approach, especially careful interviewing, is a good approach. But if I have any doubts, I add a questionnaire assessing suicidal ideation.

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