Suicide assessment must include which of the following?

A thorough suicide assessment is critical for identifying individuals at risk and for implementing appropriate interventions. A comprehensive and systematic approach ensures that all relevant factors are methodically evaluated. This type of approach is essential because it helps clinicians gather necessary information pertinent to the individual’s mental state and environment, decreasing the likelihood of missing critical details that could indicate risk.

Additionally, understanding individual risk factors is crucial. These may range from mental health history, psychosocial stressors, previous suicide attempts, to substance abuse and family history. Gathering information on these factors allows healthcare providers to tailor their interventions based on specific needs, thereby enhancing the assessment’s effectiveness.

Combining both the comprehensive approach and the identification of individual risk factors provides a robust framework for suicide assessment. It emphasizes the need not just for structure in interviews but also for a nuanced understanding of the individual's unique situation, which is indispensable in effective assessment and intervention planning.