SUICIDAL IDEATION RISK ASSESSMENT
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2. Identify Protective Factors
have not been studied as much as risk factors. The National Center for Injury Prevention and
Control, Division of Violence Prevention cites the following protective factors:
▪ Effective clinical care for mental, medical, and chemical health.
▪ Access to a variety of interventions and support, at the least restrictive environment.
▪ Connectedness to other people such as family, neighbors, community, and even culture.
▪ Support from ongoing medical, mental and chemical health care relationships.
▪ Skills in problem solving, conflict resolution, coping, and healing.
▪ Cultural and religious beliefs that discourage suicide and support instincts for self-
preservation.
Some protective factors are internal, such as coping and stress management, spiritual beliefs,
frustration tolerance, comfort with ambiguity or change, life satisfaction, and having goals and
dreams. Other protective factors are external, such as pets, loved ones, positive therapeutic
relationships, and resources for healing.
Protective factors are unique to the individual
Listen to how the person talks about their suicidal thoughts (e.g., ending my life, killing myself)
and how they talk about what is needed (e.g., get out of this funk, lift my spirits, find peace,
stabilize my mental health). Use the person’s language as much as possible.
Ask open-ended questions
To explore the person’s protective factors, use open-ended questions such as:
▪ What are the things that keep you safe?
▪ When you have thought about killing yourself/ending your life in the past, what has
stopped you?
▪ Who are the people in your life that give you fuel for life, help you feel better, or lift your
spirits (e.g., friends, neighbors, co-workers, family members, faith communities, school,
social groups)?
▪ In the past, what activities have helped you turn a corner, lift your spirits, feel more stable
(e.g., getting outside, prayer/meditation, yoga/exercise, hobbies, watching a show, go to
routine counseling appointments)?
▪ Survivors of suicide attempts have talked about the traits that have kept them alive. Some
examples are being good at problem solving, coping, resolving conflicts, optimism,
resiliency, critical thinking, stress management, self-worth, and adaptability. What is one
trait that you rely on? What is one trait that you would like to develop more?
Note which protective factors can be enhanced
To increase safety, look for opportunities to increase the frequency, duration, or impact of
protective factors. For example:
▪ It seems like your auntie is a bright spot in your life. What, if anything, can change to have
more contact with her?