Assessment Tools
Suicide prevention and awareness websites have many resources on risk factors, prevention, support, training, screening and assessment, and care options. Please visit these listed websites to review all information. For specific topics, review individual categories with direct links included. In a life-threatening situation, call 911 immediately.
- Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS): The Columbia Protocol, also known as the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), supports suicide risk assessment through a series of simple, plain-language questions that anyone can ask. The answers help users identify whether someone is at risk for suicide, assess the severity and immediacy of that risk, and gauge the level of support that the person needs.
- Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) Assessment for Depression: A 9-question tool that can help determine whether feelings, thoughts, or behaviors could be depression. It can also help you monitor the severity of depression and response to treatment.
- SAMHSA – Safe-T Pocket Card: Suicide Assessment Five-Step Evaluation and Triage for Clinicians gives a brief overview on conducting a suicide assessment using a five-step evaluation and triage plan. The plan involves identifying risk factors and protective factors, conducting a suicide inquiry, determining risk level and interventions, and documenting a treatment plan.
- Suicide Prevention Resources to Support Joint Commission Accredited Organizations - Validated/Evidence-Based Suicide Risk Assessment Tools: A Suicide Prevention Portal for organizations that includes information, resources, and tools regarding environmental risk assessment, validated/evidence based screening tools, validated/evidence based suicide risk assessment tools, safety planning upon discharge and suicide prevention recommendations.