Suicide Assessment: Five-Step Evaluation and Triage
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Suicide Assessment: Five-Step Evaluation and Triage
1
Identify patient under potential suicidal risk
2
Conduct suicide ideation questionnaire
3
Evaluate ideation questionnaire responses
4
Approval: Psychologist Assessment
5
Conduct mental health examination
6
Examine patient's emotional state
7
Discuss with the patient about potential stressors
8
Explore patient's history of self-harm or suicide attempts
9
Approval: Clinical History Evaluation
10
Assess patient’s level of suicidality
11
Identify protective factors in patient's life
12
Assess patient's coping mechanisms and support systems
13
Examine patient's physical health and any substance abuse issues
14
Document findings from all assessments
15
Develop initial crisis response plan
16
Approval: Crisis Response Plan
17
Discuss and establish safety planning with the patient
18
Conduct family meeting, if necessary
19
Refer patient to appropriate resources or services
20
Schedule follow-up visit
Identify patient under potential suicidal risk
This task is crucial in order to identify patients who may be at risk of suicide. It involves gathering information and observing signs and symptoms that may indicate suicidal ideation. The results of this task will help determine the level of urgency and appropriate steps to take.
1
Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
2
Withdrawal from social activities
3
Expressing feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
4
Giving away personal belongings
5
Preoccupation with death or suicide
Conduct suicide ideation questionnaire
This task involves administering a suicide ideation questionnaire to assess the patient's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to suicide. The questionnaire will provide valuable information for further evaluation and triage.
1
No suicide ideation
2
Mild suicide ideation
3
Moderate suicide ideation
4
Severe suicide ideation
Evaluate ideation questionnaire responses
In this task, the responses from the suicide ideation questionnaire are evaluated to determine the severity of the patient's suicidal ideation. This evaluation will help guide the next steps in the assessment and triage process.
Approval: Psychologist Assessment
Will be submitted for approval:
Evaluate ideation questionnaire responses
Will be submitted
Conduct mental health examination
This task involves conducting a comprehensive mental health examination to assess the patient's overall mental well-being. It includes evaluating the patient's cognitive functioning, mood, affect, thought processes, and psychiatric history. The findings from this examination will inform the assessment and triage process.
Examine patient's emotional state
In this task, the patient's emotional state is assessed to gain insight into their current emotional well-being. This assessment includes exploring the patient's feelings of sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, and despair. Understanding the patient's emotional state is crucial for developing an appropriate crisis response plan.
1
Sad
2
Hopeless
3
Anxious
4
Despair
Discuss with the patient about potential stressors
This task involves engaging in a conversation with the patient to discuss potential stressors in their life. The purpose is to identify factors that may contribute to their suicidal ideation and to develop a comprehensive understanding of their current circumstances.
Explore patient's history of self-harm or suicide attempts
In this task, the patient's history of self-harm or suicide attempts is explored to gain insight into their past experiences and to assess the risk of future attempts. This information will help inform the development of a crisis response and safety plan.
1
No history of self-harm or suicide attempts
2
History of self-harm without suicide attempts
3
History of suicide attempts without completion
4
History of suicide attempts with completion
Approval: Clinical History Evaluation
Will be submitted for approval:
Explore patient's history of self-harm or suicide attempts
Will be submitted
Assess patient’s level of suicidality
This task involves assessing the patient's level of suicidality based on the information gathered from previous tasks. The goal is to determine the severity of the patient's risk and urgency of intervention. This assessment will guide the development of a crisis response plan.
1
Low risk
2
Moderate risk
3
High risk
4
Imminent risk
Identify protective factors in patient's life
In this task, protective factors in the patient's life are identified to assess their ability to cope with stress and reduce the risk of suicide. These factors may include supportive relationships, positive coping mechanisms, access to mental health resources, and personal strengths.
Assess patient's coping mechanisms and support systems
This task involves assessing the patient's coping mechanisms and support systems to evaluate their ability to manage stress and cope with suicidal ideation. Understanding the patient's existing resources will help inform the development of a crisis response plan.
Examine patient's physical health and any substance abuse issues
In this task, the patient's physical health and any substance abuse issues are examined to assess their overall well-being and potential factors contributing to suicidal ideation. This information will inform the development of a comprehensive crisis response and safety plan.
Document findings from all assessments
This task involves documenting the findings from all the assessments conducted throughout the evaluation and triage process. Detailed documentation is essential for ensuring continuity of care and providing a comprehensive understanding of the patient's current state.
Develop initial crisis response plan
In this task, an initial crisis response plan is developed based on the information gathered from previous assessments. The plan should outline appropriate interventions, safety measures, and steps to be taken in case of escalation. The goal is to provide immediate support and reduce the risk of suicide.
Approval: Crisis Response Plan
Will be submitted for approval:
Develop initial crisis response plan
Will be submitted
Discuss and establish safety planning with the patient
This task involves engaging in a conversation with the patient to discuss and establish a safety plan. The safety plan should include strategies for managing suicidal thoughts, identifying supportive individuals or services, and steps to ensure safety in crisis situations. Collaboratively developing a safety plan empowers the patient and promotes their active involvement in their own care.
Conduct family meeting, if necessary
In this task, a family meeting is conducted if necessary. Involving the patient's family members can provide valuable support and ensure a comprehensive understanding of the patient's situation. The meeting should focus on discussing the patient's needs, concerns, and available resources.
Refer patient to appropriate resources or services
This task involves referring the patient to appropriate resources or services based on their individual needs and circumstances. Referrals may include mental health professionals, crisis hotlines, support groups, or community services. Ensuring the patient has access to necessary support is critical for their well-being and safety.
Schedule follow-up visit
In this task, a follow-up visit is scheduled to monitor the patient's progress, reassess their risk level, and adjust intervention strategies as needed. Regular follow-up is essential for ongoing support and to prevent relapse or escalation of suicidal ideation.
