Prediction and Standardized Scales

While standardized scales offer a structured framework for screening and assessment, highlighting risk factors and guiding clinical interviews, it is important to understand their limitations. Standardized scales cannot predict who will act on their thoughts of suicide. The transition from suicidal ideation to action can be complicated and influenced by a wide range of factors. It can occur slowly or rapidly with limited warning, making prediction difficult and highlighting the need for prevention-oriented approaches.

References | Resources

Wortzel, H. S., Homaifar, B., Matarazzo, B., & Brenner, L. A. (2014). Therapeutic risk management of the suicidal patient: stratifying risk in terms of severity and temporality. J Psychiatr Pract, 20(1), 63-67. doi:10.1097/01.pra.0000442940.46328.63

Pisani, A. R., Murrie, D. C., & Silverman, M. M. (2016). Reformulating Suicide Risk Formulation: From Prediction to Prevention. Acad Psychiatry, 40(4), 623-629. doi:10.1007/s40596-015-0434-6

Grant, C. L., & Lusk, J. L. (2015). A multidisciplinary approach to therapeutic risk management of the suicidal patient. J Multidiscip Healthc, 8, 291-298. doi:10.2147/jmdh.S50529

Large, M. M. (2018). The role of prediction in suicide prevention. Dialogues Clin Neurosci, 20, 197-205. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2018.20.3/mlarge

Kessler, R. C., Bossarte, R. M., Luedtke, A., Zaslavsky, A. M., & Zubizarreta, J. R. (2020). Suicide prediction models: a critical review of recent research with recommendations for the way forward. Mol Psychiatry, 25(1), 168-179. doi:10.1038/s41380-019-0531-0