C-SSRS
Non-Suicidal Self-Injurious Behavior is
A behavior which is done 100% for reasons other than to end one's life, done to feel better, relieve pain or affect external circumstances, and a risk factor for future suicidal behavior
Both the Full and Screening versions of the C-SSRS have Lifetime/Recent and Since Last Visit time frames. For ideation we ask
About the time someone was feeling the most suicidal (lifetime), and about the last month (Recent)
The Behavior section assesses for which of the following suicidal
Actual attempt, Interrupted attempt, Aborted attempt, and Preparatory behavior
The intensity of ideation should be rated with respect to the most severe type of ideation and asks about
Frequency - How many times have you had these thoughts? Duration - When you have thoughts how long do they last? Reasons for ideation - Asks reason to die was to stop pain or to stop the way you were feeling
The C-SSRS has specific parameters for triggering referrals to a mental health professional which are
Ideation severity of a four or five in the past month & any of the four behaviors in the last three months
The C-SSRS is structured into 2 sections
Ideation subscale & Behavior Subscale
The C-SSRS specifically
Increases our ability to predict future risk of suicidal behavior, provides evidence-based information that allows better assessment of suicidal intent, reflects change over time, reduces the burden on the health care system by reducing unnecessary interventions
In addition to actual suicide attempts, all of the following behaviors are assessed.
Interrupted attempt, Aborted attempt, Preparatory attempt
The screening version is typically used for assessing emergent risk. Some examples of when the version may be used
MSE, Shift monitoring, when a very quick assessment is needed.
It is important to communicate the information identified by the C-SSRS back to the individual's
Primary care physician, behavioral health provider, and school nurse/counselor
The full version assesses
Severity and intensity of ideation, presence of suicidal behaviors, and lethality of attempts
When administering the C-SSRS begin with
Suicidal Ideation section
T/F: If it's not the two screening questions you are finished with your assessment of ideation and move on to the behavior section.
True
T/F: If the individual denies intent you can infer it by asking the question "Or did you think it was possible you could have died from...?"
True
T/F: Since last visit version can be used every time someone is seen whether it's six hours, six weeks or six months.
True
T/F: The actual lethality section assesses degree of actual medical damage
True
T/F: The screening version is only 3-6 questions long and assesses for both suicidal ideation and behavior
True
T/F: The use of the C-SSRS can help redirect resources to those who actually need help.
True
