Screening for Suicide Risk

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force again concludes that evidence is insufficient to make a recommendation for or against screening.

Sponsoring Organization: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)

Target Audience: Primary care clinicians

Background and Objective

In 2010, suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. and among the top five leading causes of death in adolescents and younger adults (age range, 10–54). In its 2004 review, the USPSTF concluded that evidence was insufficient to make a recommendation on screening for suicide risk (Ann Intern Med 2004; 140:820). The USPSTF now has updated its analysis.

Key Points

Nearly 40% of adults visited their primary care clinician within 1 month of committing suicide.
Risk factors: The highest suicide rates are among young Native American and Alaskan natives (age range, 19–24) and older non-Hispanic whites (age, …

Reviewing Author

Jamaluddin Moloo, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Grant / Research supportColorado Health Foundation