Which screening tools are used for assessing suicide risk?

The use of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) along with a clinical interview is particularly effective for assessing suicide risk. The C-SSRS is specifically designed to evaluate suicidal ideation and behavior, making it a targeted tool for assessing various levels of risk. It employs a structured interview format that allows practitioners to gain insight into the severity and immediacy of the person's suicidal thoughts and actions.

In addition, the clinical interview complements the C-SSRS by allowing for a deeper exploration of the individual's mental state, history, and contextual factors that may contribute to their risk. Together, these tools provide a comprehensive assessment of suicide risk, including protective factors and the necessary context to understand the patient’s situation.

Other options, like the EPDS (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) and the Beck Depression Inventory, while valuable for measuring depression, are not specifically designed to assess suicide risk. Similarly, tools like the MDQ (Mood Disorder Questionnaire) and PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) can help identify depressive symptoms or bipolar disorder but do not directly evaluate suicide risk. The Patient Health Questionnaire and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale likewise focus on depression and anxiety symptoms rather than on assessing the severity of suicidal thoughts