Suicide Risk Screening

Suicide risk screening is a vital tool used by health care providers to identify individuals who may be at risk of self-harm and to connect them with life-saving support.

What is a suicide risk screening?

Suicide is a major public health concern and is often preventable. A suicide risk screening helps determine the likelihood that someone will attempt suicide. During the process, a health care provider uses specific assessment tools to evaluate a person's behavior, feelings, and thoughts.

Why do I need a suicide risk screening?

Screening is recommended if you or a loved one exhibit warning signs, such as feeling hopeless, talking about being a burden, increased substance use, mood swings, or social withdrawal. Immediate action is required if someone is talking about suicide, searching for ways to end their life, or expressing that they have no reason to live.

Risk factors include a history of suicide attempts, mental health disorders (such as depression or PTSD), chronic pain, financial or legal problems, or a history of trauma.

What happens during a suicide risk screening?

A provider may perform a physical exam and review your medications, as some antidepressants can increase suicidal thoughts in young people. They may also use standardized assessment tools, including:

• Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ9): Screens for and monitors depression severity.
• Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ): A four-question tool for youth and adults. If positive, a brief suicide safety assessment (BSSA) is performed.
• Suicide Assessment Five-Step Evaluation and Triage (SAFE-T): Used to determine risk levels and create intervention plans.
• Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS): A series of simple questions to measure suicide risk.

Will I need to do anything to prepare for a suicide risk screening?

There are no special preparations required for this screening.

Are there any risks to screening?

There is no risk to having a physical exam or answering a questionnaire.

What do the results mean?

If a physical disorder or medication issue is identified, your provider will adjust your treatment. If the screening indicates a risk of suicide, interventions may include safety planning, psychological counseling (talk therapy), medication management, or, in high-risk cases, admission to a hospital.

Is there anything else I need to know?

If you or a loved one are at risk, seek help immediately:

• Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
• Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
• Veterans can call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online.
• Visit 988lifeline.org for online chat support.

If a loved one is at risk, do not leave them alone, encourage them to seek help, and remove access to dangerous items like weapons or pills.