Suicide Risk Assessment Standards

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Suicide Risk Assessment Standards

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Following SAMHSA-funded evaluations that indicated the need for more consistent, uniform suicide risk assessment practices for crisis call centers, the Lifeline assembled its Standards, Training & Practices Subcommittee (STPS) of nationally and internationally recognized experts in suicide prevention and tasked this group with developing policies, standards, guidelines and recommended practices for its network of crisis centers.

The STPS developed evidence-informed Suicide Risk Assessment Standards in 2006. Lifeline adopted these standards as policy, and verified full network membership adherence with these standards in September 2007.

The Suicide Risk Assessment Standards focus on four core principles: Suicidal Desire, Suicidal Capability, Suicidal Intent, and Buffers along with the subcomponents for each.