Key Points found in Scroll Box below:
1. Indication for Assessment of Risk for Suicide:
Population-Based Screening; Universal Screening; Mental Disorders (Psychiatric Disorders); Medical Conditions (Chronic pain); Medical Conditions (Sleep disorder); Indicated Screening; Clinical Assessment; and Referral from Non-Clinical Sources.
2. Estimating the Risk for Suicide
Determination of suicide risk should include three tasks: 1.Gathering information related to the patient's intent to engage in suicide- related behavior; 2.Evaluating factors that elevate or reduce the risk of acting on that intent; and 3.Integrating all available information to determine the level of risk and appropriate setting for care.
3. Three direct warning signs portend the highest likelihood of suicidal behavior:
Suicidal communication; Preparationsfor suicide; and Seeking access or recent use of lethal means.
4. Assessment of Suicidal Ideation, Intent and Behavior:
Suicidal Ideation/Thoughts; Suicidal Intent; Previous Suicide Attempt; and Warning Signs-Indications for Urgent/Immediate Action.

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- The Assessment and Management of Risk for Suicide Working Group. (June 2013). VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for Assessment and Management of Patients at Risk for Suicide. Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, Version 1.0, p. 22-34.

Risk and Protective Factors for Suicide

Key Points found in Scroll Box below:
1. Protective Factors for Suicide:
• Effective clinical care for mental, physical and substance use disorders
• Easy access to a variety of clinical interventions and support for helpseeking
• Restricted access to highly lethal means of suicide
• Strong connections to family and community support
• Support through ongoing medical and mental health care relationships
• Skills in problem solving, conflict resolution and nonviolent handling of disputes
• Cultural and religious beliefs that discourage suicide and support self-preservation
2. Risk Factors for Suicide:
Biopsychosocial; Environmental; and Socialcultural.

- National Strategy for Suicide Prevention: Goals and Objectives for Action. Risk and Protective Factors for Suicide. Suicide Prevention Resource Center. 2001.

Update
Associations Between Genetic
Risk for Adult Suicide Attempt
and Suicidal Behaviors
in Young Children in the US

- Lee, P. H., Doyle, A. E., Silberstein, M., Jung, J. Y., Liu, R. T., Perlis, R. H., Roffman, J., Smoller, J. W., Fava, M., & Kessler, R. C. (2022). Associations Between Genetic Risk for Adult Suicide Attempt and Suicidal Behaviors in Young Children in the US. JAMA psychiatry, 79(10), 971–980.

Peer-Reviewed Journal Article References:
Carter, G., & Spittal, M. J. (2018). Suicide risk assessment: Risk stratification is not accurate enough to be clinically useful and alternative approaches are needed. Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention, 39(4), 229–234.

Hom, M. A., Joiner, T. E., Jr., & Bernert, R. A. (2016). Limitations of a single-item assessment of suicide attempt history: Implications for standardized suicide risk assessment. Psychological Assessment, 28(8), 1026–1030.

Micol, V. J., Prouty, D., & Czyz, E. K. (2021). Enhancing motivation and self-efficacy for safety plan use: Incorporating motivational interviewing strategies in a brief safety planning intervention for adolescents at risk for suicide. Psychotherapy.

Picard, E. H., & Rosenfeld, B. (2020). How clinicians incorporate suicide risk factors into suicide risk assessment. Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention. Advance online publication.

QUESTION 2
What are four biopsychosocial risk factors for suicide? To select and enter your answer go to Test.