- Disclaimer
- Recommended citation
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction - Suicide prevention and first aid
- Early detection of risk – Suicide and the relationship with mental disorders
- Talking about suicide and mental health issues
- Suicide prevention – Risk assessment in general practice
- Suicide prevention – Ongoing care for patients and self-care for GPs
- Suicide prevention and first aid resource tool kit
- Disclaimer
- Recommended citation
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction - Suicide prevention and first aid
- Early detection of risk – Suicide and the relationship with mental disorders
- Talking about suicide and mental health issues
- Suicide prevention – Risk assessment in general practice
- Suicide prevention – Ongoing care for patients and self-care for GPs
- Suicide prevention and first aid resource tool kit
The level of risk informs the treatment plan
It is generally agreed upon by experts in the field of suicide risk assessment, that it is the combination of warning signs, risk factors and protective factors that contributes to overall suicide risk.24
The outcome of a risk assessment will guide what treatment and support options are required immediately to maintain a patient’s safety, and what additional treatment and/or support would be useful to put in place over the coming days and weeks. Options for consideration include an urgent mental health assessment, a non-urgent appointment with a health professional, ongoing support from the GP, increased community and peer support, or a combination of one or more of these initiatives. Where there is any doubt about the level of risk, GPs can contact their local crisis mental health service for consultation and follow up.
Risk assessments provide a forum for open conversation about suicidal thinking, and can help patients to establish hope and maintain a positive belief in their lives.
Further reading and resources
Sivasankaran B. Mental health risk assessment: A guide for GPs. Aust Fam Physician 2011;40(6):366–69
Hayes P. GP Communication: Suicide in general practice. Good Practice. August 2015
Suicide Questions Answers Resources (SQUARE) – Risk assessment questions
Lifeline – Facts about suicide
Suicideline – Estimating the risk of suicide
References
- Hawgood J, De Leo D. Screening tool for assessing risk of suicide (STARS). Nathan, Qld: Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, Griffith University, 2015. [Accessed 3 March 2016].