Assessment of Suicide Risk

**WARNING: NERDY POST COMING UP**

1. Suicide Risk – this is an epidemiological risk; a probability. eg people in rural areas have an increased suicide risk (access to firearms)
   


2. Suicidal Intent – this is an assessment of the patient, and their
   ‘seriousness’. Divided into 3 stages:

1. Before

• Planning: did the patient plan the suicide for a long time, make arrangements
  for pets, sort out wills, buy right tools, etc; or did the patient impulsively
  commit the act


• Location: did the pt choose a place easy or difficult to find? eg in a public place?


• Timing: Did the pt ensure that it would occur at a time when nobody was likely to find the body?

2. The Event

• Lethality: How lethal was the attempt? eg overdose vs firearms. Guns and hangings are more lethal.


• Patient’s Judgement? Especially in children or mentally handicapped pts. Did they actually think they were being lethal? eg a child may think that eating 2 panadols would kill them.

3. Post-Event

• Ruefulness: Did the pt regret attempting suicide? Were they glad they failed?
  


• Anger at failing: On the other hand, was the pt angry that they failed?
  “I can’t even commit suicide properly. I’m such a failure” – watch out for these pts!


• Suicide Note: May give an insight into the pt’s mental state at the time of the attempt. Were they psychotic? Had they arranged everything inadvance?