What happens during a suicide risk screening?
A screening may be done by your primary care provider or a mental health provider. A mental health provider is a health care professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health problems.
Your primary care provider may give you a physical exam and ask you about your use of drugs and alcohol, changes in eating and sleeping habits, and mood swings. These could have many different causes. He or she may ask you about any prescription drugs you are taking. In some cases, antidepressants can increase suicidal thoughts, especially in children, teenagers, and young adults (under the age of 25). You may also get a blood test or other tests to see if a physical disorder is causing your suicidal symptoms.
During a blood test, a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.
Your primary care provider or a mental health provider may also use one or more suicide risk assessment tools. A suicide risk assessment tool is type of questionnaire or guideline for providers. These tools help providers evaluate your behavior, feelings, and suicidal thoughts. The most commonly used assessment tools include:
Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ9). This tool is made up of nine questions about suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Ask Suicide-Screening Questions. This includes four questions and is geared toward people aged 10-24.
SAFE-T. This is a test that focuses on five areas of suicide risk, as well as suggested treatment options.
The Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). This is a suicide risk assessment scale that measures four different areas of suicide risk.
