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Warning Signs and Screening

Note: This content is derived from the 2024 VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Patients at Risk for Suicide. For the latest clinical practice guideline for this condition, visit https://www.healthquality.va.gov/guidelines/MH/srb/VADoD-CPG-Suicide-Risk-Full-CPG-2024_Final_508.pdf.

Common Warning Signs

Common warning signs of suicidal behavior (i.e., signals of intention to engage in suicidal behaviors) include:

  • Communicating about one’s suicidal thoughts or behaviors
  • Seeking access to lethal means (e.g., buying a gun, stockpiling harmful medications)
  • Engaging in preparatory behaviors (e.g., saying goodbyes, putting affairs in order)

Screening for and Assessing Suicide-related Thoughts and Behaviors

The 2024 VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Patients at Risk for Suicide outlines a few important procedures for clinicians engaged in screening for and assessing suicide risk.

  1. Use a validated screening tool.
  2. Conduct a comprehensive assessment of each patient’s risk and protective factors.
  3. Do not use a single instrument or method when evaluating suicide risk. At a minimum, use a validated assessment tool and conduct a clinical interview of the patient. Using multiple methods enables clinicians to develop more nuanced understandings of their patients’ risk levels, which feeds into more individualized treatment and management plans.

Last Updated: April 29, 2025
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