Screening and Assessment of Co-Occurring Disorders in the Justice ...

•y Gender (higher risk of successful suicides for males, higher risk of suicideattempts for females)•y Race/ethnicity (highest risk for suicide among Caucasians)•y Previous or current psychiatric diagnosis•y Current evidence of depression•y Substance use•y Poor problem solving and/or impaired coping skills•y Social isolation and limited social support•y Previous suicide attempt•y Family history of suicidal behavior•y History of abuse, family violence, or punitive parenting•y History of prostitution•y Current and identifiable stressors, with a particular focus on losses (e.g.,homelessness, joblessness, loss of a loved one)(Centers for Disease Control, 2008; National Institute of Mental Health, 2008)Brief screening for suicide risk should address the following areas:•y Current mental health symptoms•y Current suicidal thoughts•y Previous suicide attempts and their seriousness•y Whether suicide attempts were intended or accidental•y The relationship between suicidal behavior and mental health symptomsA thorough assessment of suicide risk/potential should include an interviewto review thoughts, behaviors, and plans related to suicide. In addition to thescreening items described previously, the following areas should be reviewed duringthe assessment interview:•y Thoughts related to suicide (i.e., frequency, intensity, duration, specificity),distinguishing between passive and active suicidal thoughts•y Current plans (specificity, method, time/date)•y Lethality of suicidal plans and availability of potential instruments (e.g.,drugs, weapons)•y Preparatory behavior•y Self-control•y Reasons for livingIn summary, suicide screening should be provided for all individuals entering thecriminal justice system. Screening should be conducted at the time of admissionor transfer to new institutions, and at sequential stages during justice systemprocessing (e.g., arrest, booking, pretrial diversion, probation, parole). While26