Assignment

There are different approaches to conducting suicide assessments, but all approaches acknowledge the need to be familiar with suicide risk factors. The good news is that there have been many suicide risk factors identified through research and clinical work. The bad news is that suicide is essentially unpredictable. Despite this bad news, you should definitely be familiar with the following risk factors and warning signs. Generally, the risk factors are more research based, and the warning signs are more clinical based.

Suicide Risk Factors

___ 1. Vulnerable group due to age/sex/ethnicity

___ 2. Previous suicide attempt

___ 3. Using alcohol/drugs excessively or abusively

___ 4. DSM diagnosis

___ 5. School problems

___ 6. Isolated or harassed

___ 7. Physical health problems

___ 8. Recent significant personal loss (of ability, objects, or persons)

___ 9. Struggling with sexuality issues

___ 10. Victim of childhood or current abuse

___ 11. Diagnosis of depression

___ 12. If depressed, the teen is also experiencing:

____ Panic attacks

____ General psychic anxiety

____ Lack of interest and pleasure

____ Alcohol abuse increase

____ Diminished concentration

____ Global insomnia

___ 13. Significant hopelessness, helplessness, or excessive guilt

___ 14. Suicidal thoughts are present.

Note: Evaluate for:

____ Frequency of thoughts (How often do these thoughts occur?)

____ Duration of thoughts (Once they begin, how long do the thoughts persist?)

____ Intensity of thoughts (From 1 to 10, how compelling are the thoughts?)

___ 15. There is a history of impulsive behavior.

___ 16. A suicide plan is present (evaluate the plan based on the SLAP acronym, which refers to specificity, lethality, accessibility of means, and proximity of social support).

___ 17. There is a moderate to high intent to kill self (or a previous lethal attempt).

___ 18. Recent prescription of an SSRI and associated disinhibition or agitation

___ 19. Possession of or access to firearms

Suicide Warning Signs

___ 1. Suicide threats, both direct and indirect

___ 2. Obsession with death

___ 3. Sudden or abrupt loss of interest in usual activities

___ 4. Sudden social withdrawal

___ 5. An increase in dangerous or illegal or risk-taking activities

___ 6. Poems, essays, and drawings that refer to death

___ 7. Dramatic change in personality or appearance

___ 8. Irrational, bizarre behavior

___ 9. Overwhelming sense of guilt, shame, or rejection

___10. Severe drop in school or work performance 

___11. Giving away or throwing away important possessions

___12. Recent extreme stress (e.g., romantic breakup, parental abandonment, parental/sibling/friend suicide)

___13. Possession (often secretive) of a dangerous weapon

___14. Recent and significant increase in drug or alcohol use

___15. An unexplained surge of cheerfulness or energy following a prolonged period of depression