Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (Screening Version) (C-SSRS(Screening Version)) / Échelle d’évaluation de Columbia sur la gravité du risque suicidaire (C-SSRS)

Introduction

The Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C‐SSRS) is a measure used to identify and assess individuals at risk for suicide. There are four available versions of the scale, including: (1) Lifetime/Recent version, (2) Since Last Visit version, (3) Screen version, and (4) Risk Assessment Page. At Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO), the six-item Screen version is used, a shortened version of the full questionnaire, measuring the presence and severity of suicidal ideation, and suicidal behaviour. Questions are phrased in an interview format, to be completed by the service provider with the young person, and responses are recorded in binary yes/no format. The C-SSRS shows good convergent and divergent validity with other similar scales.

Why are we asking service providers to complete this questionnaire with youth?

A fundamental step in suicide prevention is identifying individuals who need help. The C-SSRS (Screen version) is a simple, efficient, effective, universal, evidence-supported measure of screening youth for factors that indicate heightened risk of suicidality. The C-SSRS (Screen version) is completed when the service provider judges it to be clinically necessary, and/or when a young person’s positive response to question 9 on the PHQ-9 triggers an immediate alert to a service provider at the hub. Responses regarding risk levels can then be used to guide suitable clinical decisions and interventions, measure treatment progress over time, and facilitate safety monitoring and/or crisis planning. Trust, compassion, and empathy are important when using this screening tool with youth.