Risk Levels Defined
This risk level involves suicidal ideation or behavior more than one year ago without current intent.
What is "Historical Risk"?
Both parents need to be informed about this when a child reports suicidal ideation.
What is "The client's risk level and next steps"?
This must be re-administered every session until a client has no ideation for one month.
What is "The C-SSRS Follow-Up scale"?
Clinicians should call this service for immediate assistance if a client is in high risk
What is "911 or local emergency services"?
A 15-year-old client admits to ongoing suicidal thoughts (questions 1, 2, and 3 are "Yes") and has a specific plan (“I’ll overdose on pills in my room when no one is home”). They also report they recently gathered the pills (question 6A is "Yes" within the past month) and feel ready to act. They haven’t been evaluated by a higher level of care.
What is "High Risk"?
This risk level applies when there is no suicidal ideation or attempt within the last year
What is "No Risk"?
If a client needs immediate care, clinicians must remain on the call until this happens
What is "A soft handoff to a higher level of care"?
This document is required after every C-SSRS assessment.
What is "A progress note signed and shared with a supervisor"?
A clinician must stay with a client until this happens during an emergency handoff.
What is "The client is safely handed off to emergency personnel or higher care"?
A 17-year-old client reports frequent thoughts about wanting to end their life (questions 1, 2, and 3 are "Yes"). They describe a vague plan (“I’ve thought about taking pills”) but deny having intent to act on it (question 4 is "No"). They have not engaged in any preparatory behaviors within the past month (question 6A is "No" for the past month).
What is "Moderate Risk"?
A client with active suicidal ideation, a specific plan, and intent within the past month is at this level.
What is "High Risk"?
For clients in the "Moderate Risk" category, this must be created and shared during the session.
What is "A Client Safety Plan"?
Moderate-risk clients need to see this type of professional to evaluate their condition.
What is "A psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner"?
If the minor client has identified risk and client’s parents are separated, the clinician should contact this parent first.
What is "The parent the client is currently living with"?
A client shares that they sometimes think, “I wish I didn’t wake up,” but they have no specific plan or intent (questions 1 and/or 2 are "Yes," but questions 3-5 are "No"). They also admit to having these thoughts briefly 6 months ago but state they’ve been able to manage their feelings with journaling and support from friends.
What is "Low Risk" ?
Suicidal ideation with a plan but no intent within the past year falls under this risk level.
What is "Moderate Risk"?
Clinicians must inform this person the same day when any risk level is determined.
What is "Your supervisor"?
After a high-risk client goes to the ER, this document is essential for next steps.
What is "A discharge summary"?
During an emergency, clinicians should document this about the personnel taking over.
What is "The full name, role, and badge number of the responder"?
A client completes the C-SSRS assessment. They deny any current or past suicidal thoughts or behaviors (questions 1 and 2 are "No") and have not engaged in any actions to prepare for suicide (question 6A is "No"). They report feeling supported by family and express no distress during the session.
What is "No Risk"?
A client with recent suicidal thoughts but no plan or intent is classified under this risk level.
What is "Low Risk"?
High-risk clients require this type of immediate evaluation.
What is "A higher level of care evaluation"?
For low and moderate-risk clients, weekly check-ins with this person are required.
Answer: What is "Your supervisor"?
High-risk clients should not perform this action when going to a hospital or emergency center.
What is "Drive themselves"?
A 16-year-old client reports no current or recent suicidal thoughts or behaviors (questions 1 and 2 are "No"). However, they disclose a suicide attempt that occurred over a year ago (question 6A is "Yes," but more than one year ago). They state they have since worked on coping skills in previous therapy settings and feel stable, but they want to ensure they have continued support.
What is "Historical Risk"?