Suicide risk assessment and management has traditionally relied on the disclosure of suicidal ideation to determine individuals’ current suicide risk. However, this approach has numerous limitations, including the poor specificity of suicidal ideation in leading to suicidal behavior, the fluctuating nature of suicidal ideation, and high rates of nondisclosure when suicidality is present. Additionally, traditional suicide risk assessment protocols do not provide information regarding acuity, or when suicidal behavior is likely to occur. In contrast, recently defined and validated suicide-specific entities have shown promise in characterizing acute suicidal crises and predicting imminent engagement in suicidal behavior. 

The purpose of this webinar is to describe two recently proposed suicide-specific entities—Acute Suicidal Affective Disturbance and Suicide Crisis Syndrome—and highlight their research support to date and potential utility in suicide risk assessment and management. Specifically, the proposed criteria for both Acute Suicidal Affective Disturbance and Suicide Crisis Syndrome will be discussed alongside support for their factorial structure, reliability, and validity, especially in the prediction of short-term suicidal behavior. 

Additionally, recommended practices of suicide risk assessment, in conjunction with established methods, will be discussed; in particular, not relying on the disclosure of suicidal ideation, and remaining vigilant to factors that may signal acute surges in suicidality, will be highlighted. 

Following the identification of suicide risk, strategies for suicide risk management of these acute symptoms will also be discussed, including augmentations to safety planning, incorporating lethal means counseling, and using a multidisciplinary team to best manage risk. Finally, specific considerations with regard to patient population and specific sociodemographic characteristics will be discussed in conjunction with the utility of leveraging these approaches to understanding acute suicidal crises and risk.

Learning Objectives:

1. Upon completion, participant will be able to list the symptoms for both Acute Suicidal Affective Disturbance and Suicide Crisis Syndrome.
2. Upon completion, participant will be able to describe the ways in which Acute Suicidal Affective Disturbance and Suicide Crisis Syndrome improve upon traditional suicide risk assessment in identifying those at risk for imminent suicidal behavior.
3. Upon completion, participant will be able to conduct a suicide risk assessment that captures both traditional and indirect/acute indicators of suicide risk.