A practical & easy-to-use model is proposed for psychologists to integrate the growing knowledge about suicide into their practice to guide their suicide risk assessments & clinical decision making. This model is based on known risk factors for suicide that are categorized as historical, personal, psychosocial-environmental, & clinical, & are dichotomized into acute & chronic states. Protective factors categorized as temporary & permanent are also included. An example of how to use this model in clinical practice is provided. (50 refs)