The Youth Suicide Risk Assessment Interview (IN: Youth Suicide: Issues, Assessment, and Intervention, edited by P Cimbolic & D A Jobes)

This chapter discusses key issues that should be assessed in the psychiatric interview of adolescents including direct, nondirect & nonverbal comments or actions about suicidal thoughts or feelings. The clinician should ask direct questions about suicide & explore intent, the presence or absence of a suicide plan, suicide history, psychological pain, & other risk factors such as hopelessness, interpersonal problems, & psychopathology. Positive influences & negative pressures should be evaluated.