CIC CIC Suicide Risk Assessment & Prevention 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) is primarily used to:
- Diagnose major depressive disorder
- Measure the severity and intensity of suicidal ideation and behavior (Correct answer)
- Assess substance use comorbidity in crisis clients
- Determine eligibility for inpatient hospitalization only
Correct answer: Measure the severity and intensity of suicidal ideation and behavior
The C-SSRS is a validated, standardized tool that categorizes and quantifies suicidal ideation and behavior on a spectrum from passive ideation to completed attempt.
Question 2: When assessing the lethality of a client's suicidal plan, the counselor should evaluate:
- The client's employment history and financial status
- The method's potential to cause death, access to means, and specificity of the plan (Correct answer)
- Whether the client has previously attended therapy
- The client's religious beliefs and family background only
Correct answer: The method's potential to cause death, access to means, and specificity of the plan
Lethality assessment focuses on the deadliness of the chosen method, how easily the client can access the means, and how detailed the plan is—all of which indicate elevated acute risk.
Question 3: Which of the following is considered a protective factor against suicide?
- Social isolation and withdrawal from family
- Access to lethal means in the home
- Strong reasons for living and a sense of responsibility to children (Correct answer)
- Prior suicide attempts with high-lethality methods
Correct answer: Strong reasons for living and a sense of responsibility to children
Protective factors such as a sense of responsibility to dependents, reasons for living, and social connectedness reduce the probability that suicidal ideation will lead to action.
Question 4: What is the most immediate action when a client discloses suicidal ideation with a specific, lethal plan and immediate intent?
- Schedule a follow-up appointment for the next week
- Initiate a safety assessment and contact emergency services if the client cannot be kept safe voluntarily (Correct answer)
- Advise the client to call 988 on their own when ready
- Document the risk and end the session normally
Correct answer: Initiate a safety assessment and contact emergency services if the client cannot be kept safe voluntarily
Specific plan plus intent plus lethal method constitutes a psychiatric emergency requiring immediate intervention, including emergency services if the client cannot contract for safety.
Question 5: In suicide risk assessment, the mnemonic IS PATH WARM is used to identify:
- Protective factors for mental health recovery
- Warning signs of imminent suicide risk (Correct answer)
- Steps in a crisis safety planning process
- Categories of trauma exposure in clients
Correct answer: Warning signs of imminent suicide risk
IS PATH WARM stands for Ideation, Substance abuse, Purposelessness, Anxiety, Trapped, Hopelessness, Withdrawal, Anger, Recklessness, Mood changes—all warning signs of suicide risk.
Question 6: A 'no-suicide contract' (also called a 'commitment to treatment statement') is best understood as:
- A legally binding document that prevents clients from harming themselves
- One component of a safety plan, not a standalone evidence-based risk reduction strategy (Correct answer)
- The most reliable method to prevent suicide between sessions
- A discharge requirement before a client can leave crisis services
Correct answer: One component of a safety plan, not a standalone evidence-based risk reduction strategy
Research does not support no-suicide contracts as standalone interventions; they are only useful as part of a comprehensive safety plan and therapeutic alliance.
CIC CIC Suicide Risk Assessment & Prevention 1
The Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) is primarily used to: