Year: 2008 Source: Archives of Suicide Research, v.12, no.1, (2008), p.62-66 SIEC No: 20080648

This study compared levels of agreement in the assessment of suicide risk by detention centre staff procedures compared with those completed by a mental health clinician. Over a 6-month period, 64 young people assessed as being acutely suicidal were referred for a clinical mental health assessment. Cohen’s kappa statistic was used to determine inter-judgmental agreement between the detention centre, a clinical assessment, & Adolescent Suicide Questionnaire scores. Weak levels of agreement existed. Further work in this area is recommended. (13 refs.)