Crisis line reference checks and interviews are one part of the process for becoming a volunteer. A reference check usually involves the volunteer coordinator, distress line manager or other individual who is responsible for screening volunteers calling two or three individuals that you have written down (often an academic or employment reference, and then a…
Tag: suicide
Best Practices in Suicide Postvention
Introduction Suicide postvention might look like an odd word. We often use the word “prevention” to refer to things that are designed to stop (prevent) other negative situation or states from occurring. Postvention, then, refers to the things we do after a suicide has occurred. In this context, it often refers to the actions that a…
Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
The Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) is often considered the gold standard of suicide risk assessment (Giddens, Sheehan & Sheehan, 2014). It was developed in 2011 by a team from Columbia University and has been validated with both adult and adolescent populations (Posner, et. al., 2011) Items in the C-SSRS The C-SSRS can be…
Understanding and Preventing Male Suicide
Introduction Suicide is a significant public health issue in most countries. Suicide rates have been constant in the US and Canada, with some age and risk categories experiencing reduced suicide rates while increased suicide rates in other age groups and risk categories have made up the difference. Male suicide has been commonly overlooked as suicide has…
ED-SAFE Suicide Screening Tool
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations that accredits healthcare organizations in the US is often a requirement for state licensure or for receiving Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements. One of the items in the Joint Commission accreditation is Goal 15.01.01, comprehensive suicide risk assessment. This involves screening of individuals who are at risk, and further assessment…