Determining suicide risk
When assessing a patient, look
for both covert and overt signs
of suicide. Look for sad facial
expression, slowed behavior, or
comments about wishing to be
dead or having no reason to live.
Such behaviors raise a suspicion of
depression, distress, and suicide risk.
If you suspect that a patient may
be at risk for suicide, the fi rst step
is to establish rapport and evaluate
risk. Although you may be uncomfortable
asking about suicidal
ideas, you need to ask questions to
determine the patient’s risk. Open
the discussion, share observations,
and then ask directly if the patient is
thinking about suicide