Definition
Screening
Screening refers to the use of a standardized instrument or protocol to determine if someone is at-risk for suicide.
Why screen students for suicide?
Adolescents are generally honest when asked directly about suicide
Screening effectively identifies students at-risk
Screening does NOT “plant the idea” of suicide
Best Practices for Suicide Screening in Schools
- Repeated screening is highly recommended because suicide risk fluctuates over time
- Opt-out consent model, unless other requirements are present
- Requires consent from parents if a teen screens positive
- Students who screen positive must have a direct assessment by trained clinician within seven days
- Screen students in waves (such as by grade level) with consideration for the number of students and amount of resources available for follow-up
- Only screen students after an intervention protocol is in place and staff have received gatekeeper training
Evidence-Based Screening Tools
The Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire
The Suicidal Risk Screen
The Columbia Teen Screen
Signs of Suicide (SOS)
A Measure of Adolescent Potential for Suicide (MAPS) (suggested tool after screened positive)
Resources
Suicide Screening in Adolescents, Arkansas Children’s Hospital
Care, Assess, Respond, Empower (CARE) model, Youth.gov
State Laws: Suicide Prevention in Schools, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
Suicide Intervention Manual, Blue Valley School District