The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) has provided guidance for evaluating a patient in the Emergency Department who may be suicidal.
Initial question(s) to confirm suicidal ideation:
(1) Have you had recent thoughts of killing yourself?
(2) Is there other evidence of suicidal thoughts (such as reports by family, friends, etc)?
Screening questions - Have you/Do you?
(1) recently been thinking about how you might kill yourself?
(2) have any intention of killing yourself?
(3) ever tried to kill yourself?
(4) had treatment for mental health problems? or have mental health issues that affect your ability to do things in life?
(5) have problems with drinking or drug use?
(6) been recently feeling very anxious or agitated? or been having conflicts or getting into fights? or been showing irritability, agitation or aggression?
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Response to Screening Question
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Points
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no
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0
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yes
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1
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score for screening questions =
= SUM(points for all 6 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 6
• A score >= 1 indicates the need for further evaluation by a mental health specialist.
• A patient with a score of 0 can be discharged after a brief suicide prevention intervention.
