Intake interviewing with suicidal patients: A systematic approach.

Abstract

Assessment and management of suicidal patients is one of the most challenging and stressful tasks associated with the practice of psychology. This article provides information on how to conduct suicide assessment interviews and initial patient management within the context of an intake interview. A brief review of professional training issues and suicide risk factors precede discussion of suicide assessment interviewing procedures. Strategies for evaluating depression, suicide ideation, suicide plan, self-control, and suicide intent are presented. General guidelines for initial management of and clinical decision making with suicidal patients are reviewed.

Suicidal ideation in an adolescent clinical sample: attachment patterns and clinical implications

“…The DICA-R was administered by either a psychiatrist or trained research assistant, Jocelyne Lessard, within the first 2 weeks of admission and audiotaped for research purposes. Lethality of contemplated method was rated on a 3-point scale from low, moderate, to high based on criteria that included specificity of the plan, how quickly enactment of a plan could produce death, availability of proposed means, and proximity of helping resources (Sommers-Flanagan and Sommers-Flanagan, 1995). In cases where more than one plan or attempt was presented, each event was rated separately and used to tabulate an average lethality of contemplated method score.…”

Assessment and Diagnosis of Conduct Disorder

“…As noted by ourselves and other authors (e.g., Fong, 1993;cus to assessment of high risk behavior (i.e., suicide, violence potential; Sommers-Flanagan & Sommers-Flanagan, 1995c;Tolan & Cohler, 1992).…”

Identifying and Accommodating the Needs of Mentally Ill People in Gaols and Prisons

“…The lethality and proximity of previous attempts, presence of current plan, and accessibility of means to hurt self also are important (Sommers-Flanagan & Sommers-Flanagan, 1995).…”

“…Intent can be assessed directly (e.g., asking the inmate to rate current intent on a 10-point scale) or indirectly by asking about suicide plans. Suicide plans should be assessed in terms of: (a) specificity (i.e., more detailed plans are associated with a higher risk); (b) lethality (i.e., potentially more lethal plans are associated with a higher risk); (c) availability (i.e., how quickly could the individual carry out his/her plan); and (d) proximity (i.e., availability of helping resources) (Sommers-Flanagan & Sommers-Flanagan, 1995). Within the pretrial setting, proximity (i.e., means to hurt oneself ) can be controlled (e.g., place the inmate under special observation); however, specificity, lethality, and availability of method should be assessed.…”

“…If an inmate acknowledges significant thoughts or feelings of hopelessness, the frequency, intensity, and duration of these thoughts should be assessed. The interviewer also should ask about feelings of helplessness, worthlessness, and/or guilt (Sommers-Flanagan & Sommers-Flanagan, 1995).…”