Week 7 Discussion

Suicide Assessment Procedures, Documentation, and Risk Factors

The following checklists are from your course text (Sommers-Flanagan & Sommers-Flanagan, 2007) and are designed to guide your through the general suicide assessment domains and general documentation standards.

Checklist of General Suicide Assessment Procedures (Table 8.1)

_____ 1. Assess risk factors (see comprehensive risk factor checklist)

_____ 2. Ask about suicidal thoughts

_____ 3. Assess suicide plans

_____ 4. Assess self-control

_____ 5. Assess client intent or goals associated with suicidal behaviors

_____ 6. Obtain psychiatric or collegial consultation

_____ 7. Determine appropriate action (degree of intervention)

Suicide Assessment Documentation Checklist (Table 8.2)

Check off the following items to ensure that your suicide assessment documentation is up to professional standards.

_____ 1. I discussed limits of confidentiality and informed consent with the client and parents.

_____ 2. I conducted a thorough suicide assessment, including:

_____ Risk factor assessment

_____ Suicide assessment instruments or questionnaires utilized (write in)

_____ Assessed suicidal thoughts, plan, client self-control, and suicidal intent

_____ 3. I obtained relevant historical information from the client regarding suicidal behavior (e.g., suicidal behaviors by family members, previous attempts, lethality of previous attempts, etc.).

_____ 4. Previous treatment records were requested/obtained.

_____ 5. I consulted with one or more licensed mental health professionals.

_____ 6. An appropriate “no-suicide” contract was established.

_____ 7. The patient was provided with information regarding emergency/crisis resources.

_____ 8. In cases of high suicide risk, appropriate and relevant authority figures (police officers) and/or family members were contacted.

Reference:

Sommers-Flanagan, J., & Sommers-Flanagan, R. (2007). Tough kids, cool counseling: User-friendly approaches with challenging youth (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.