Suicide risk assessment

Posted by Bachelor - Unit of Regenerative Medicine Clinic and Educational Psychology - Vinmec Times City International Hospital

Assessment of suicide risk is always important for patient care, especially for patients with psychotic syndromes. Recently it has become of great interest to researchers and the general public.
Over the years the suicide rate has increased somewhat. The spread of the Covid-19 pandemic and social disturbances have increased the impact factors leading to global suicide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every year about 703,000 people take their own life, and there are many who attempt suicide. Every suicide is a tragedy that affects families, communities, and entire nations, especially lastingly affecting loved ones left behind. Suicide occurs in all subjects, at all ages, but according to statistics, this number is most common in adolescents aged 15-29 years. It can be seen that the cause of suicides related to students is from school violence. A suicide risk assessment is essential in order to take appropriate precautions.
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One of the tools for screening and assessing suicide risk is the Ducher score (RSD). This is a standardized scale that allows a quick assessment of the patient's risk of suicide:

It takes at least 2 minutes for a psychiatrist to assess suicide risk with the RSD scale. This scale is read-only and directly assesses the highest scores, not necessarily looking for milder symptoms. However, it is necessary to determine whether or not there is a risk at higher levels.
>>> Children have erratic psychological development, intend to commit suicide, what to do?
Note: When asked, patients will often answer "no" even though they have an idea about this behavior, so it is necessary to validate the answer "no" by restructuring the question in a Different ways.

Levels of the scale:
From 0-6: Low or moderate risk of suicide Levels 7-10: Increased risk of suicide Specific:
Level 0: Not having any idea about suicide death or death; Level 1-2: Having thoughts of death but no thoughts of suicide; Level 3: Rarely has suicidal ideation; Level 4: Frequent suicidal ideation; Level 5: Very frequent suicidal thoughts; Level 6: Desire to die passively. >>> Major depression: Signs and risks of suicide
The patient is not in the active process of committing suicide but they wish they were sick, had an accident, looking for some reason That makes me not present in this life.
>>> Psychological stress and suicidal behavior
Level 7: The person may go into a suicidal act if nothing holds them back or no one holds them back to life. Levels 7a and 7b assess the relationship, the relationship of the patient at a strong or weak level. For example: Fear of a loved one suffering, if the quality of this relationship is good, then rate it at 7a, if not, it's 7b. Level 8: Active will to die: The patient has now made a decision to end his life, but has not yet made a plan to take action. Level 9: Rate the urgency of suicide: The person has now decided to end his or her life and has a plan to do so. If the patient has decided to take action, but postpones his or her schedule of action is rated 9a, if the plan is tentative in the short term is assessed 9b. Level 10: The person begins to prepare or commits their act of suicide. At this stage, the patient has made a decision and actively implements the plan.

If you suspect that you or a loved one shows signs of wanting to commit suicide, it is very important to seek help and advice from a doctor to receive treatment and avoid bad consequences. The Psychology Clinic - Vinmec International General Hospital officially came into operation in April 2019, has the function of examining, consulting and outpatient treatment of psychological problems and psychological health. With modern equipment, Vinmec Mental Health Clinic is currently cooperating with experienced professors and experts:
MSc. Doctor Nguyen Van Phi - Psychologist, Vinmec Times City International Hospital: with 7 years of experience working as a lecturer in Psychiatry - Hanoi Medical University, Doctor Psychiatrist at Hanoi Medical University Hospital & Central Geriatric Hospital, and a member of the Vietnam Psychiatric Association. MSc. Dr. Pham Thanh Luan - Psychologist, Vinmec Times City International Hospital: with 5 years of experience in research, examination and treatment of Psychiatric diseases, trained at prestigious universities trust, practice in-depth expertise in the French Republic. MSc. Doctor Nguyen Trong Hien - Psychologist, Vinmec Times City International Hospital: with 6 years as a lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry - Hanoi Medical University and Central Geriatric Hospital, together with Dr. Experience in research, examination and treatment of diseases in Psychiatry such as: emotional disorders, stress-related disorders and body dysmorphic disorders, developmental disorders in children, adolescents & childbirth .... Along with the implementation of psychological tests, intensive psychotherapy for diagnosis and treatment, in order to bring the best medical examination and treatment effect.