AAS Youth & Adolescent Suicide Prevention 2

Question 1

Which communication pattern is most associated with suicide contagion among adolescents?

Accepted Answer

Detailed media coverage glorifying the method and victim

Answer

Detailed, sensationalized media reporting that romanticizes the victim or describes the method increases contagion risk among vulnerable youth.

Question 2

A 15-year-old discloses a plan to overdose on a parent's medication tonight. The FIRST action the clinician should take is:

Accepted Answer

Assess lethality and means access immediately

Answer

When a specific plan and timeframe are disclosed, immediate lethality and means assessment is the priority to determine level of care needed.

Question 3

Which of the following is a key principle of the Zero Suicide framework as applied to youth-serving organizations?

Accepted Answer

All staff should receive training to identify and respond to at-risk youth

Answer

Zero Suicide emphasizes a system-wide, whole-workforce approach where every staff member is trained to identify and support at-risk individuals.

Question 4

The Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) categorizes suicidal ideation along which primary dimension?

Accepted Answer

Intensity and specificity of intent and plan

Answer

The C-SSRS assesses ideation severity based on intensity, frequency, duration, and specificity of plan and intent.

Question 5

When conducting means restriction counseling with parents of a suicidal teen, the clinician should emphasize:

Accepted Answer

Removing or securing ALL potentially lethal means in the home

Answer

Means restriction counseling must address all potentially lethal items because reducing access to any means lowers overall risk.

(AAS) American Association of Suicidology Certification Practice Test