The assessment of suicide potential via interview methods.

Conversations About Suicide: Strategies for Detecting and Assessing Suicide Risk

“…The thought itself is not harmful. (Wollersheim, 1974, p A normative frame lowers the bar and makes it easier for patients to admit to suicide ideation. Although suicide ideation is not a good predictor of suicide attempts, it is obvious that patients do QRW PDNH DWWHPSWV RU GLH E\ VXLFLGH ZLWKRXW ¿UVW KDYLQJ WKRXJKWV about suicide.…”

“…Unless the patient has brought a weapon to the session, there is no need to treat suicide ideation as an immediate crisis. Approaching suicide ideation as just another problem that you have the skills to deal with effectively (while showing empathy) can help patients see you as competent and can increase their faith in you and in the psychotherapy process (Wollersheim, 1974); it can also help you become more comfortable working with suicidal patients.…”

Intake interviewing with suicidal patients: A systematic approach.

“…If denial occurs, interviewers must choose whether or not to continue asking the patient about suicide ideation. Wollersheim (1974) has suggested making it easier for patients to admit suicidal thoughts:…”

Helping the suicidal client: Some aspects of assessment and treatment.

“…One goes after the information necessary to make this judgment in a focused, systematic manner. As stated by Wollersheim(1974):…”

“…An appropriate follow-up question here is "Have you ever thought how you would do it?" Again quoting from Wollersheim (1974): "It is important to determine if suicidal plans were simply a passing thought or if the client has spent either a considerable amount of time regarding the details or if he re-occurringly thinks about such plans." If there is rumination about and preoccupation with specific suicidal intentions, particularly in the context of severe depression, suicidal risk is very high.…”