When a client is identified as a suicide risk, which questions or areas should be explored?

When a client is identified as a suicide risk, which questions or areas should be explored?

• A. Current or past suicidal ideation, support system, sense of purpose
• B. Diet, exercise, and sleep
• C. Financial status only
• D. Family medical history only

Answer: (A)

Assessing suicide risk centers on what the person is thinking and what can help keep them safe. The most important areas to explore are whether they currently or have previously had suicidal thoughts, the strength and availability of their support system, and whether they have a sense of purpose or reasons for living. Understanding ideation helps gauge immediacy and danger, a solid support network shows what help is reachable, and a sense of purpose acts as a protective factor that can reduce risk and guide safety planning. Other domains like diet, finances, or family medical history don’t directly assess suicide risk or protective factors, so they don’t address the immediate safety concerns as effectively.

Assessing suicide risk centers on what the person is thinking and what can help keep them safe. The most important areas to explore are whether they currently or have previously had suicidal thoughts, the strength and availability of their support system, and whether they have a sense of purpose or reasons for living. Understanding ideation helps gauge immediacy and danger, a solid support network shows what help is reachable, and a sense of purpose acts as a protective factor that can reduce risk and guide safety planning. Other domains like diet, finances, or family medical history don’t directly assess suicide risk or protective factors, so they don’t address the immediate safety concerns as effectively.