CONTENTS

About This Course

Table of Contents

1. The Nature and Scope of Suicide
2. Recognizing the Progressive Development of Suicide
3. Substance Abuse as a Major Contributor to Suicide
4. Suicide Across the Life Span
5. Special Populations and Suicide Risk
6. Prevention and Early Intervention for Suicide and Substance Abuse Problems

Supplements
References
Resources

Holding the Lifeline
A Guide to Suicide Prevention

Screening, Assessment, and Treatment

Just because an individual may have risk factors, such as substance abuse or a mental illness, associated with suicidal behaviors it does not mean that he or she will commit suicide. As a result, healthcare and mental healthcare professionals and providers need to assess the risk of suicide and suicidal behaviors. Prevention professionals and others may not be conducting suicide assessments or providing treatment. Nonetheless, an understanding of screening and assessment guidelines for working with individuals in distress, and treatment options can benefit those working in suicide prevention.

Screening is a brief procedure to:

• Determine the presence of a problem (mental health disorder, substance abuse)
• Substantiate that there is a reason for concern
• Identify the need for further evaluation

Assessment is a more comprehensive diagnostic and treatment planning process typically based on screening information. A detailed assessment may take hours to complete and should help to prepare a treatment plan. Some goals of assessment are to: ref

• Examine the scope and/or severity of mental health or substance abuse problems
• Identify other possible psychosocial problems that may need to be addressed further
• Provide a foundation for treatment
• Identify possible strengths that can become part of the treatment planning process

For more information about assessment, the American Psychiatric Association has developed guidelines for the assessment and treatment of patients with suicidal behaviors. ref