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Suicide Check List
Ways to Assess Suicidality



By Ofer Zur, Ph.D.


This web page is part of an Online Course on Suicide Prevention in Psychotherapy and Counseling for CE Credits (CEUs) for Psychologists, MFTs, Social Workers, Counselors and Nurses.


The intention of this checklist is to assist therapists in evaluating their clients’ risk of suicide. It is neither scientifically valid nor a reliable, scientifically-proved instrument for the assessment of suicidality.


Client Name: _______________________________________
Client Telephone Number: ___________________________
Date of Evaluation:__________________________________

Mark those that are relevant for the client:

___ History of suicide attempts:

___ Medical severity in previous attempts:

___ Age (risk increases with age):

___ Expression of wish to die (verbal or nonverbal):

___ Means, availability, or access to lethal means (guns, pills, knives):

___ Suicidal thoughts, ideation, feelings, plan of action:

___ History of suicide by family members or close friends:

___ Attraction to death:

___ Drug and Alcohol use and abuse:

___ Level of depression (1-5) (e.g. hopelessness, helplessness, sleep/eating patterns with Level 5 being most severe):

___ Recent loss of a loved one (especially loss of a child or elderly spouse):

___ Major psychiatric disorders (other than depression):

___ Major recent physical illness, recent accident/crisis, chronic illness:

___ History of depression or hospitalizations, etc...:

___ Involved with web sites that promote suicide

___ Financial problems:

___ Legal problems:

___ Recent or chronic stressors (e.g. loss, separation, illness, life transition):

___ Marital status (increased risk with single status):

___ Level of social support (increased risk with isolation):

___ Sleep patterns (increased risk with too much or too little sleep):

___ General level of impulse control:

___ Volatility of mood:

___ Physical or sexual abuse in the family:

___ Sexual orientation (increased risk w/ bisexual, sexually active homosexual, celibate):

___ Sense of humor, or ability to reflect cognitively on one's situation:

___ Level of cooperation with treatment (1-5) (e.g. readiness to sign a "No suicide contract", with Level 5 indicating strong commitment to treatment):

___ Recent involvement in risky activities:

___ Excessive dependency on others:

___ Inability to take care of self or others:

___ Additional remarks:

Summary of patient's suicide risk (circle one):
High     Medium     Low     None

Explain:

 
 

Eight critical risk factors for suicide in patients with major depression

Researchers identify eight critical risk factors for suicide in patients with major depression, in a study published in Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 30, No. 6, p. 576-580. The In a survey presented participants with 48 risk factors derived from previous studies involving suicide and depression. Practitioners in this study considered the following eight factors most important:

  • The medical seriousness of previous attempts.
  • History of suicide attempts.
  • Acute suicidal ideation.
  • Severe hopelessness.
  • Attraction to death.
  • Family history of suicide.
  • Acute overuse of alcohol.
  • Loss/separations.

The other 40 factors received ratings of "moderate risk." More info at http://www.apa.org/monitor/feb00/suicide.aspx

Action & Care Plan

___ No action required

___ "No Suicide" contract

___ Frequency of contact: sessions, phone, etc...

___ Voluntary hospitalization

___ Involuntary hospitalization

___ Further evaluation

___ Medication, medication evaluation

___ Obtain medical/psych. records, consultations

___ Others:


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