Q/A Session Nov 2024: Is there a quick screener for risk to help assess the plethora of members presenting with psychological distress?
Yes, screening tools can aid assessment. Some widely used options include:
- ASQ (Ask Suicide-Screening Questions): A brief screener with three behaviour-focused questions.
- C-SSRS (Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale): Includes plain-language questions suitable for various populations.
The most commonly used tools have similar items, and all fit within the core tasks of Connect and Assess in the SafeSide Framework.
What’s most important is that you select a tool and get comfortable using it flexibly with a person-centred approach. However, even when using a standard screening tool, some individuals at risk will go undetected.
Research Example
Article: Does Suicidal Ideation as Measured by the PHQ-9 Predict Suicide Among VA Patients? (Louzon et al., 2016)
Method: Evaluated the association of over 400,000 answers to the following item on with suicide mortality among Veterans in the United States:
“Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself in some way?” (Item 9 from the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9))
Findings:
- Veterans who answered "several days" were 75% more likely to die by suicide.
- Veterans who answered "more than half the days" were 115% more likely to die by suicide.
- Veterans who answered "nearly every day" were 185% more likely to die by suicide.
Despite these increased risks, however, about 72% of suicides occurred among people who had answered "not at all.”.
Takeaway
Standardised screening tools can be helpful, but including them does not guarantee an honest answer. Using these tools in a connected, flexible and person-centred way with the goal of understanding, not just suicide concerns but the person’s experience, is key.
Other Resources