Suicide risk levels

The student does not appear to pose a risk of harm to self. There are no significant risk factors or warning signs observed and protective factors are in place and stable.

• “No risk” may be the outcome when a student is identified or referred regarding something the student says or writes that is construed as expressing suicidal ideation.
• The assessment may reasonably conclude that the comment was taken out of context, and there is no indication of ideation, intent, or suicidal behaviors.
• The student is connected socially, is well supported by family, and teachers report no concerns. 
• The parents/guardians of the student should be contacted.
• The parents/guardians should not be notified if the student has indicated that the reason for being at risk of suicide relates to parental abuse or neglect. In this case, the local department of social services is contacted instead.

The student does not appear to pose a risk of harm to self, and there are no warning signs or intentions to act. Protective factors are in place and stable. Any needs for assistance or underlying issues are being addressed.

• Students with a low risk of suicide express thoughts of dying by suicide with no intent to act on these thoughts.
• Suicidal ideation is vaguely or indirectly communicated. For example, the student may say, “I just want to die,” or “I wish I were never born.” This expression lacks detail. (In contrast, a student saying, “I will take an overdose of three aspirins,” indicates detail and planning.)
• The assessment indicates any comments regarding self-harm were made without thought, planning, or intent.
• The student is connected socially and has a good support system, but there may be mental health concerns.
• A support plan should be developed.
• The parents/guardians of the student should be contacted. 
• The parents/guardians should not be notified if the student has indicated that the reason for being at risk of suicide relates to parental abuse or neglect. In this case, the local department of social services is contacted instead.

The student does not appear to pose a risk of harm to self at this time but exhibits behaviors that indicate intent and a potential for future serious harm to self and/or exhibits other concerning behavior that requires intervention.

• Students with a moderate risk of suicide could display suicidal ideation or behavior with an intent or desire to die by suicide.
• There may be more specific planning but without preparation or observed intent to act, at least not in the short term. For example, the student may say, “I thought about hanging myself, but I don’t want to die.” 
• The student may have given some thought about how to carry out the threat but no clear steps have been taken or planned. For example, the student may say, “My dad has a gun, but I don’t know where the bullets are or how to load it,” or “I don’t know what will happen tonight because no one will be home.”
• A safety plan should be developed.
• The student should be immediately referred for appropriate services.
• The parents/guardians of the student should be contacted.
• The parents/guardians should not be notified if the student has indicated that the reason for being at risk of suicide relates to parental abuse or neglect. In this case, the local department of social services is contacted instead.

The student appears to pose a risk of harm to self, exhibiting behaviors that indicate a continuing intent to harm, efforts to carry out the plan, and other concerning behavior.

• Students with a high risk of suicide may perceive little or no availability of support and may have taken steps toward carrying out a plan. For example, the student may say, “I’ve unlocked the window of my third-story bedroom and I’m going to jump.”
• The student could display suicidal ideation or behavior with an intent or desire to die. The student’s suicidal ideation is direct, specific, and plausible. For example, the student may say, “I’m going to take all of my mom’s pills.” 
• A safety plan should be developed.
• The student should be referred to crisis counseling and/or hospitalization for immediate help.
• The parents/guardians of the student should be contacted.
• The parents/guardians should not be notified if the student has indicated that the reason for being at risk of suicide relates to parental abuse or neglect. In this case, the local department of social services is contacted instead.

The student appears to pose a clear, immediate threat of serious violence to self and may also exhibit other concerning behavior that requires intervention.

• Students at this risk level likely display suicidal ideation with an intent to die by suicide.
• Imminent risk indicates that you believe serious violence will happen within the next 24-48 hours if steps are not taken to prevent it. For example, the student may say, “I’m going home today and cutting my wrists,” or “When I get home, I will be alone, and I’m going to get a gun from the gun safe, load it, and shoot myself.”
• The student may perceive little or no availability of support.
• A safety plan should be developed.
• The student should be referred to crisis counseling and/or hospitalization for immediate help.
• The parents/guardians of the student should be contacted.
• The parents/guardians should not be notified if the student has indicated that the reason for being at risk of suicide relates to parental abuse or neglect. In this case, the local department of social services is contacted instead.