Emergency Notice: If you or someone else may be in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. In the U.S., call or text 988 for immediate crisis support. Do not wait for an appointment request or website message to be answered.
Talking about suicidal thoughts can be difficult. A suicide risk assessment gives a clinician an opportunity to listen without judgment, understand what you are experiencing, and consider the level of support needed to help keep you safe.
A brief screening may identify a need for further evaluation, but it does not replace a clinician’s safety assessment. The conversation may explore current thoughts, emotional distress, relevant history, available support, and immediate safety concerns. The approach and next steps depend on the individual situation.
Reach out when you or someone you care about is struggling with thoughts of suicide or when a healthcare professional recommends further evaluation after a screening.
Thoughts about ending your life, whether they feel fleeting or persistent, deserve to be taken seriously.
Feeling overwhelmed or unsure how to stay safe is a reason to seek support.
If a loved one expresses suicidal thoughts or you are worried about their immediate safety, help them connect with urgent support.
An assessment helps a clinician determine the appropriate level of care. Depending on the situation, next steps may include:
A trained clinician guides the assessment. A positive screening result calls for further safety assessment; it should not be treated as a diagnosis or a complete evaluation on its own.
Share what has been happening and any thoughts about suicide or safety.
Discuss concerns, relevant history, and support available right now.
The clinician determines whether immediate intervention or additional evaluation is needed.
Discuss the appropriate support, follow-up, or urgent care based on the assessment.
For non-emergency concerns, contact our team to discuss an appropriate assessment. If there is immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. In the U.S., call or text 988 for immediate crisis support.