Suicide Risk Screening
Reviewed
Also called: Suicide Risk Assessment, Suicide Risk Evaluation, ASQ, PHQ-9 for Suicide Risk, C-SSRS, SAFE-T
A suicide risk screening can help determine how likely it is that someone will attempt suicide.
Specimen: None (questionnaire-based screening)
Urgent safety information
If you feel you are at risk for attempting suicide, get help right away. You can: call 911 or go to your local emergency room. If you are worried that a loved one is at risk for suicide, don't leave them alone.
Emergency numbers on this page are for the United States. Outside the US, call your local emergency number.
Why this test may be ordered
- To identify individuals who may be at risk for attempting suicide
- To evaluate warning signs such as hopelessness, mood swings, withdrawal, or talking about suicide
- To assess risk in people with known risk factors (e.g., previous attempt, mental health disorder, chronic illness, substance use, trauma)
- To guide next steps in care, including safety planning, counseling, or hospitalization
Preparation and collection
You don't need any special preparations for this screening.
A suicide risk screening may be done by your health care provider or a mental health provider. Your health care provider may give you a physical exam and ask you about your use of drugs and alcohol, changes in eating and sleeping habits, and mood swings. Your provider may also use one or more suicide risk assessment tools.
There is no risk to having a physical exam or a questionnaire.
Understanding results
If a result or symptoms suggest an emergency, get emergency medical help right away.
The results of a suicide risk assessment tool or suicide risk assessment scale can show how likely it is you will attempt suicide. Your treatment will depend on your risk level.
- Very high risk: If you are at very high risk, you may be admitted to a hospital. Limitation: Your treatment will depend on your risk level. Next step: If you feel you are at risk for attempting suicide, get help right away.
- Moderate risk: If your risk is more moderate, your provider may recommend one or more of the following: brief interventions such as safety planning and follow-up phone calls. Limitation: However, younger people on antidepressants should be closely monitored. These medicines sometimes increase suicide risk in children and young adults. Next step: Psychological counseling (talk therapy) from a mental health professional.
- Physical disorder or medicine problem found: If the results of your physical exam or blood, lab, or imaging test show a physical disorder or a problem with a medicine, your provider may provide treatment and change or adjust your medicines as needed. Limitation: This is important because in some cases, antidepressants can increase suicidal thoughts, especially in children, teenagers, and young adults (under the age of 25). Next step: Call your health care or mental health provider. Reach out to a loved one or close friend.
- Screening results are not a diagnosis of a mental health condition; they only indicate risk level.
- False positives and false negatives are possible; some individuals at risk may not be identified.
- Results depend on honest and complete answers to the screening questions.
- The screening does not replace a comprehensive mental health evaluation.
- Risk can change over time, so periodic re-screening may be needed.
What to do next
If you feel you are at risk for attempting suicide, get help right away. You can: call 911 or go to your local emergency room. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Hotline.
- What warning signs of suicide should I watch for in myself or a loved one?
- Are there any risk factors (e.g., mental health history, substance use, trauma) that I should discuss with my provider?
- How often should I be re-screened for suicide risk?
- What should I do if I feel unsafe or have thoughts of harming myself between appointments?
- Can you help me create a safety plan with coping strategies and emergency contacts?
Evidence source
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Practices and reference ranges may differ in your country.