Suicide & Risk Assessments
This page is dedicated to assessing risk and suicidality. If you are experiencing thoughts of harming yourself, please seek immediate professional help from your local crisis center or emergency room. See below for hotlines to contact if you are in need of support:
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Crisis Text Line:​
Text HOME to 741741
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National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
800-273-8255
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Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
This assessment tool is highly effective at identifying whether someone is at risk for suicide, assessing the severity and immediacy of that risk, and gauging the level of support that the person needs. The questions are very simple and can be asked by anyone and screen for a number of risk factors efficiently and effectively. It is an evidence-based protocol that was the first tool to assess the full range of a person’s suicidal ideation and behavior, including intensity, frequency, and changes over time.
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Population: Can be administered by anyone/ Applicable to anyone with suicidal thoughts ranging from death fantasies to active intent with a plan
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Cost: Free
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Website: https://cssrs.columbia.edu/
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Click the image below to be redirected to the C-SSRS website
Brown-Stanley Safety Plan
This template can be used to create a safety plan for addressing suicidal ideation. This exercise allows an individual to develop a strategy that includes warning signs, coping mechanisms, distractions, safety protocols, and personal and professional contacts for help. All of this information can be useful when thoughts of suicide arise.
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Population: Anyone experiencing repetitive suicidal ideation
Cost: Free
Website: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Brown_StanleySafetyPlanTemplate.pdf
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Click the image below to be redirected to the Brown-Stanley Safety Plan template.
Suicide Assessment Five-Step Evaluation and Triage (SAFE-T)
The SAFE-T protocol is a simple five step process for assessing suicidality and determining the appropriate level of care. This approach involves identifying risk factors and protective factors, conducting a suicide inquiry, determining risk level and interventions, and documenting a treatment plan. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recommends using this plan to proactively address those at risk for suicide.
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Administered by: Professional Care Providers
Cost: Free
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Assessment
This tool was developed by the Center for Disease Control and Kaiser Permanente to assess ten areas of childhood trauma. The categories examined include abuse (emotional, physical and sexual), neglect (physical and emotional) and family dysfunction (family mental illness, physical abuse of mother, divorce, incarcerated parent and substance abuse in family). These scores are predictive of major health outcomes related to substance abuse, heart disease, suicide, and more. Each question can be answered with a "yes" or "no," equal to 1 or 0 points respectively. Those with higher scores are considered to be at higher risk levels.
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Population: Any
Cost: Free
Website: https://knowledgeworks.org/resources/ace-assessment-how-used/
