As a social worker, you will likely at some point have a client with a positive suicide risk assessment. Many individuals with suicidal ideation also have a plan, and that plan may be imminent. Even when the risk is not urgent at a given moment, current research shows that most suicides occur within 3 months of the risk being assessed within a formal appointment. Ideation can quickly become a suicide. For this Discussion, you view an initial suicide risk assessment. As you evaluate the social worker's actions, imagine yourself in their place. What would you do, and why?
Explore an evidence-based tool about suicide risk assessment and safety planning. See the Week 3 document Suggested Further Reading for SOCW 6090 (PDF) for a list of resources to review. "Watch the 'Suicide Assessment Interview" segment in the Sommers-Flanagan (2014) video to assess how it compares to your findings.