What elements constitute a structured suicide risk assessment?

• A. Ideation, plan, means, intent, past attempts, and protective factors; assess lethality, access to means, time frame, and safety planning readiness.
• B. Diet and exercise only.
• C. Family history of mood disorders only.
• D. Significant physical illness.

Answer: (A)

A structured suicide risk assessment centers on clearly identifying the patient’s current risk by asking direct questions about thoughts of suicide and the likelihood of acting on them, and by examining factors that influence risk over time. The elements listed—ideation, plan, means, intent, past attempts, and protective factors—collectively capture both the present risk and the person’s resilience. Assessing lethality and access to means helps gauge how ready or capable the person is to attempt, while exploring a time frame highlights how imminent the danger is. Safety planning readiness shows whether the patient and clinician are prepared to implement steps to reduce risk immediately.

Including past attempts matters because a history of attempts increases future risk, while protective factors (like supportive relationships or reasons for living) can mitigate risk. Together, these components guide decisions about safety measures, level of care, and follow-up.

The other options don’t fit a structured assessment because they miss essential risk indicators. Diet and exercise say nothing about suicidal thoughts or imminence. Family history of mood disorders or significant physical illness may relate to risk, but they do not constitute a structured evaluation of the patient’s current ideation, plans, access to means, or safety plan.