Generalizing the value of ongoing assessments of suicidal ideation or behavior for estimating the risk of subsequent suicide attempts

In analyses conducted for program planning, the Veterans Health Administration evaluated associations between self-reports of suicidal ideation and behavior using the Columbia Scale obtained on two occasions separated by three months and clinical or administrative records of suicide attempts over the subsequent three months., Combining information from the two assessments improved prediction of suicidal behavior and found that risk was greater when ideation was reported on both assessments, than when it was first reported at follow-up. The absence of reported ideation at the second assessment was not associated with a clinically relevant reduction in risk. These findings confirm recent reports from the Mental Health Research Network (MHRN).