Use of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) to Classify Suicidal Behaviors

Abstract

Efforts to better understand and prevent suicide have increasingly pointed to the prospective assessment of suicidal behaviors in clinical trials. These assessments are aided by instruments such as the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), which have sought to improve the conceptual uniformity and ease by which suicidal behaviors are classified. At the same time, assessment and classification of suicidal behaviors has been a longtime challenge in the field. To aid users of the C-SSRS, this article illustrates the use of the C-SSRS in instances where classification complexities arise. Illustrations are presented based on cases encountered during a clinical trial for a suicide prevention intervention. Key decision points are summarized and classification issues that warrant consideration for future refinement of such decisions are discussed.

Keywords:

• assessment
• classification
• suicidal behavior

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alejandro Interian

Alejandro Interian, Mental Health & Behavioral Sciences, VA New Jersey Healthcare System, Lyons, and Department of Psychiatry, Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA.

Megan Chesin

Megan Chesin, Department of Psychology, William Paterson University, Wayne, New Jersey and Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Division, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA.

Anna Kline

Anna Kline, Department of Psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA.

Rachael Miller

Rachael Miller, Mental Health & Behavioral Sciences, VA New Jersey Healthcare System, Lyons, New Jersey, USA.

Lauren St. Hill

Lauren St. Hill, Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.

Miriam Latorre

Miriam Latorre, Mental Health & Behavioral Sciences, VA New Jersey Healthcare System, Lyons, New Jersey, USA.

Anton Shcherbakov

Anton Shcherbakov, Center for Emotional Health of Greater Philadelphia, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, USA.

Arlene King

Arlene King, Mental Health & Behavioral Sciences, VA New Jersey Healthcare System, Lyons, New Jersey, USA.

Barbara Stanley

Barbara Stanley, Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Division, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA.