{"id":6325,"date":"2025-09-08T09:23:22","date_gmt":"2025-09-08T08:23:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/schizophrenia.life\/public\/?page_id=6325"},"modified":"2025-09-08T09:23:22","modified_gmt":"2025-09-08T08:23:22","slug":"sod-chapter-8-subchapter-8","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/schizophrenia.life\/public\/sod-chapter-8-subchapter-8\/","title":{"rendered":"SOD Chapter 8 – Subchapter 8"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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8.8 Suicide risk assessment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When assessing suicide risk in individuals with both schizophrenia and substance use disorder, it’s important to be sensitive and structured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The goal is to understand the risk level, recognize protective factors, and plan effective ways to support them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Encourage open, nonjudgmental dialogue<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting with open-ended questions helps create a safe space<\/strong> where the person feels comfortable sharing their thoughts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A caregiver might say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Would you like to talk about what\u2019s been on your mind lately? Are there moments when things feel especially tough?”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This approach allows them to express difficult feelings without fear of judgment, making it easier to discuss<\/strong> suicidal thoughts and emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Creating a safety plan when needed<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those at higher risk, having a safety plan can be a helpful tool. This plan might include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Emergency contact information<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Grounding techniques for moments of crisis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 A list of supportive friends or family members to reach out to<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A well-thought safety plan provides reassurance and practical steps to follow when things feel difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Offer regular check-ins and ongoing support<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Checking in regularly after an initial suicide risk assessment can be important, especially for those with dual diagnoses. These follow-ups offer opportunities to reassess risk, adjust any necessary interventions<\/strong>, and continue providing support<\/strong> when needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A simple check-in can go a long way in offering continued support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suicide risk assessments shouldn\u2019t be a one-time event.<\/em><\/strong>
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Looking Beyond Risk Levels<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While understanding the risk level is crucial, it\u2019s also helpful to explore other factors that can influence intervention planning<\/strong>. These factors can be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Protective factors<\/strong> \u2013 supportive relationships, coping skills, or personal strengths<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Current stressors<\/strong> \u2013 recent losses, isolation, or struggles with daily life<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Identifying these elements helps in creating a plan that meets the individual\u2019s specific needs.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Example conversation for suicide risk assessment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I\u2019d like to check in and see how things have been going for you. Sometimes, having a lot on our minds can feel overwhelming. Are there times lately when it\u2019s been difficult to manage things on your own?”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Sometimes, yeah. It\u2019s hard to explain. Some days are just really heavy.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“That sounds challenging. Let\u2019s talk about some things we can try when it feels that way. I\u2019m here to help you find ways to get through those moments safely, and I\u2019d like to support you in any way I can.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n



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This kind of conversation creates a safe and open dialogue, helping the person feel heard and supported, which leads to a more effective assessment and intervention.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Communication Techniques<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use open-ended questions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This encourages the individual to share more<\/strong> about their feelings and experiences. Questions that can be answered with a simple “yes”<\/strong> or “no” should be avoided<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Can you tell me more about what you’re going through right now?”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Active listening<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Repeat back or summarize<\/strong> what the person is saying to show that you are listening and understand. This builds trust and cooperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It sounds like you\u2019re feeling really overwhelmed by everything. Is that right?”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Non-stigmatizing language<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid judgmental terms. Use neutral language<\/strong> to discuss substance use and mental health symptoms to prevent the person from feeling criticized or ashamed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of saying “Why do you keep using drugs?”<\/strong><\/em>, try something like<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It seems like substance use has been part of what you\u2019re going through. Can you tell me more about how it affects you?”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Validate their experience<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Validate their feelings and struggles without judgment, letting them know that their experiences are real and understandable.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I can see how hard this must be for you, and it makes sense that you\u2019re feeling this way.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Stay calm and patient<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Schizophrenia can cause disorganized thinking, and substance use can increase confusion. Be patient and don\u2019t rush the conversation<\/strong>, allowing them the time to gather their thoughts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If they lose their train of thought, gently remind them about the discussion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“You were telling me about how things have been difficult lately. Can you tell me more about that?”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Offer reassurance, not solutions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes, individuals are not ready for solutions and may just need someone to listen. Offer comfort<\/strong> and the opportunity to talk<\/strong> rather than trying to “fix” things immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I\u2019m here for you, and we can work through this together.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Back to chapter<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

8.8 Suicide risk assessment When assessing suicide risk in individuals with both schizophrenia and substance use disorder, it’s important to be sensitive and structured. The goal is to understand the risk level, recognize protective factors, and plan effective ways to support them. Encourage open, nonjudgmental dialogue Starting with open-ended questions helps create a safe space […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-sod.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"rea_page_title_signed_in_meta_block_field":"","rea_page_title_signed_out_meta_block_field":"","rea_page_description_signed_in_meta_block_field":"","rea_page_description_signed_out_meta_block_field":"","rea_page_footer_id_meta_block_field":"","rea_page_footer_date_meta_block_field":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-6325","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/schizophrenia.life\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6325","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/schizophrenia.life\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/schizophrenia.life\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schizophrenia.life\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schizophrenia.life\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6325"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/schizophrenia.life\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6325\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/schizophrenia.life\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6325"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}