Assessment of

Students at
Risk for Self-
Harm and
Suicidal
Behavior

Presented by: Ms. Leny Gutierrez-

Gadiana, RGC, RPm, LPT
 Barriers that prevent young people
from seeking HELP
 Have difficulty articulating  Have negative past
their feelings experiences working with
 Failure to recognize own helping professionals
distress  Concern about what others
 Do not believe that anyone might think
can help them with their  Lack of knowledge of
problem services available
Suicide is PREVENTABLE
Connect Create a supportive
SAFETY NET
Risk Assessment
Pain is not always obvious

KNOW the signs

FIND the words
REACH out
DEFINITION
LOW RISK MODERATE RISK HIGH RISK
 Does not pose imminent  Student may pose  Poses imminent danger to
danger to self; insufficient imminent danger to self, self with a viable plan to
evidence for suicide but there is insufficient do harm
potential evidence to demonstrate  There is clear suicidal
 Distress, but has positive a viable plan of action to thinking and warning
support do harm immediately signs are present
 Concern and needs may  Has other risk factors  There is a need for
be readily addressed immediate intervention
 Does not appear serious and probably
about completing self- hospitalization
harm immediately
INDICATORS
LOW RISK
 Passing thoughts of suicide
 No plan, no previous suicide
attempts
 No access to weapons or
means
 No recent losses
 Support system is in place
 No alcohol/substance abuse
 Some depressed mood/affect
 Evidence of thoughts found in
notebooks, internet postings,
drawings
 Sudden changes in
personality/behavior (e.g.,
distracted, hopeless,
academically disengaged)
MODERATE RISK
 Thoughts of suicide
 Plan with some specifics
 Unsure of intent
 Previous suicide attempts
and/or hospitalizations
 Difficulty naming future plans
 Past history of substance
abuse, with possible current
intoxication
 Recent trauma (e.g., loss,
victimization)
HIGH RISK
 Current thoughts of suicide
 Plan with specifics, indicating
when, where, and how
 Has access to weapons or
means
 Giving possessions away
 Goodbye messages on social
media
 Current sense of hopelessness
 Previous attempts
 Currently abusing substances
 Recent loss, traumatic event,
or bullying
Responding to students with Suicide
Ideation or Intent
 Share your concern
 Communicate that you care and he/she is not alone, and
that you are there help

 Guide the student to think of ways to look after

oneself

 Create a list of coping strategies and sources of

support
Responding to students with Suicide
Ideation or Intent

 Connect the student with professional support in

school

 Conduct continuous and close monitoring

 Notify parents