Suicide and suicidal behavior present a pressing public health concern in the UK, exacerbated by ongoing socio-economic stressors, including the recent cost of living crisis. Effective assessment hinges on identifying both individual risk factors—such as mental health disorders, previous suicide attempts, and psychosocial stressors—and broader contextual influences (Cruz et al., 2010).

In response, comprehensive prevention strategies emphasize a coordinated effort among healthcare providers, community organizations, and families. Clinical frameworks like the Zero Suicide Model advocate for systematic risk assessment, means restriction, and ongoing patient monitoring (Brodsky et al., 2018). Complementary community-based interventions, including gatekeeper training for pharmacists and family members (Carpenter et al., 2021; Morton et al., 2021), as well as school-based educational initiatives (Pistone et al., 2019), have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing suicidal ideation. Strengthening family dynamics and support systems further enhances prevention efforts by bolstering resilience and early intervention (Frey et al., 2016). Collectively, these approaches underscore the importance of multidimensional assessment and targeted strategies to mitigate suicide risk in the UK.

Suicide Risk Assessment Triage Questionnaire