Note: This content is derived from the 2024 VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Patients at Risk for Suicide. For the latest clinical practice guideline for this condition, visit https://www.healthquality.va.gov/guidelines/MH/srb/VADoD-CPG-Suicide-Risk-Full-CPG-2024_Final_508.pdf.

Common Warning Signs

Common warning signs of suicidal behavior (i.e., signals of intention to engage in suicidal behaviors) include:

• Communicating about one’s suicidal thoughts or behaviors
• Seeking access to lethal means (e.g., buying a gun, stockpiling harmful medications)
• Engaging in preparatory behaviors (e.g., saying goodbyes, putting affairs in order)

Screening for and Assessing Suicide-related Thoughts and Behaviors

The 2024 VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Patients at Risk for Suicide outlines a few important procedures for clinicians engaged in screening for and assessing suicide risk.

1. Use a validated screening tool.
2. Conduct a comprehensive assessment of each patient’s risk and protective factors.
3. Do not use a single instrument or method when evaluating suicide risk. At a minimum, use a validated assessment tool and conduct a clinical interview of the patient. Using multiple methods enables clinicians to develop more nuanced understandings of their patients’ risk levels, which feeds into more individualized treatment and management plans.