Suicide risk assessment and prediction

Cognitive therapy research has yielded (1) a taxonomy of suicidal behaviors, (2) scales for assessing suicidal ideation and intent, and (3) a model of suicidal wishes and behavior that identifies hopelessness as a key psychological variable in suicide prediction. The establishment of hopelessness as a suicide risk factor has been supported most strongly by prospective studies of inpatients and outpatients. A cutoff score of nine on the Beck Hopelessness Scale appears to be predictive of eventual suicide. Other cognitive factors associated with suicidal wishes and behaviors are discussed.