Downloadable References and Tools
Women should be informed of MMH disorders and be assessed for risk prior to pregnancy, and screening and support should be provided throughout the perinatal period.
Overview of Screening Protocol and Tools
Suicide Risk Assessment Overview
View here.
Why Screen for Maternal Suicide Risk?
Screening for maternal suicide risk is critical in both saving lives and also in preventing unintentional harm to mothers and families. Given the frequency of unwanted “intrusive thoughts” during the perinatal period, which can involve thoughts of self-harm, it’s critical that providers screen for both ideation and risk.
Screening Tools
Several suicide screening tools exist; the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) is robust in assessing for ideation and risk.
The Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) is a tool that can be used in many settings, including, community settings, medical, inpatient, and outpatient behavioral health.
The C-SSRS assesses the full range of evidence-based ideation and behavior. It can be used as an initial screener or as part of a full assessment.
Those who administer the screening for maternal mental health disorders may wish to use the C-SSRS if a person verbally discloses suicidal thoughts or answers “yes” to question 9 on the PHQ-9 or question 10 on the EPDS, for example.
Additionally, the SAFE-T Suicide Assessment Five-Step Evaluation and Triage may be utilized to understand both access to potential deadly tools and protective factors.
Download the C-SSRS or combined C-SSRS & SAFE-T tools here:
Or you can create your own screening toolbox by visiting the Columbia C-SSRS Lighthouse Project’s website.
Free Training
Though training is not required to administer the screener, it can be helpful. Training provides an overview of the C-SSRS instrument and teaches how and when to administer it in real-world settings
Watch a Pre-Recorded Webinar
Watch a webinar on your own schedule by going to the Columbia University C-SSRS Light House Project’s YouTube channel and selecting an archived webinar. They are available in 30 languages and are less than an hour long.
Social Determinants of Health Screeners
View here.
The Agency for Health Research and Quality has developed a tool to help primary care practices screen and refer patients to address their unmet social needs, such as access to adequate food and housing.
Self-Help Screening Tools
View here.