Assessing and Responding to Suicide Risk in Adults with Depression:

Depression is the most common risk factor for suicide. Studies show that almost half of patients who commit suicide have seen or contacted their primary care physician in the month before their attempt.[1] It is important to assess suicide risk as you screen and diagnose patients with depression. A 2005 paper in the Annals of Family Medicine, using data from the MacArthur Foundation funded RESPECT-Depression study, provides useful information about a primary care population with depression and their risk of suicide over 6 months after diagnosis with major depression, chronic depression or both.[2] This study of over 400 patients included more than 100 patients from MaineHealth practices. Most patients (63%) had no risk of suicide. Twenty-six percent (26%) of patients were classified as low risk and reported only passive thoughts of suicide. Ten percent (10%) were classified as intermediate risk and had active thoughts of ending their lives, but no intent. One percent (1%) of patients was classified as high risk. They had active thoughts of suicide, means and present intent. Thi