Depression & Suicide Screening & Prevention Best Practices
Depression and suicide screens are essential in identifying high-risk patients. Implement a plan to maintain safety in all patient care areas. Screening, assessment, re-assessment, education and prevention are the keys to a successful program. Attached are multiple tools to evaluate patients who present with signs and symptoms related to depression and suicide.
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National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): Adult Suicide Risk Screening Tool
This resource is an assessment tool for healthcare providers to determine suicide risk in adult patients.
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Webinar: Suicide Prevention of High-Risk Behavioral Patients
The behavioral health patient who needs acute care presents unique challenges to patient safety. This webinar discusses suicide prevention in high-risk behavioral patients.
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Suicide Prevention of High-Risk Behavioral Patients Presentation
Click to view the presentation slides used in the Suicide Prevention of High-Risk Behavioral Patients webinar.
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Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Provides resources about suicide, effective prevention and training for patients and families.
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Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (Brief Version)
The Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale is provided in both the full and brief version as a suicide risk screening tool. This short version rating scale assesses patients at risk for suicide that may enter a setting such as the emergency room, quickly identifying patients who are actively suicidal or experiencing suicidal thoughts.
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Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (Full Version)
The Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale full version is an assessment tool that provides an in-depth evaluation for patients at risk for suicide. The full version rating scale identifies patients who are actively suicidal or experiencing suicidal thoughts in a way that is more time-consuming. This tool is best suited for an environment conducive to this type of assessment such as an inpatient psychiatric stay.
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PHQ-9 Patient Depression Questionnaire
A depression screening assessment to determine the level of a patient’s depression.