COLUMBIA SUICIDE PROTOCOL

Using Columbia Protocol

Asking Questions

Protocol administrators ask a series of questions about suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The number and choice of questions they ask depend on each person’s answers. The questioner marks “yes” or “no,” as well as how recently the thought or behavior occurred and a scoring of its severity. The shortest screeners are condensed to a minimum of two and a maximum of six questions, depending on the answers, to most quickly and simply identify whether a person is at risk and needs assistance. For a more thorough risk screening, Columbia Protocol askers should use the standard scale.

The Columbia Protocol questions use plain and direct language, which is most effective in eliciting honest and clear responses. For example, the questioner may ask:

“Have you wished you were dead or wished you could go to sleep and not wake up?”
“Have you been thinking about how you might kill yourself?”
“Have you taken any steps toward making a suicide attempt or preparing to kill yourself (such as collecting pills, getting a gun, giving valuables away, or writing a suicide note)?”

SCREENING DEMONSTRATION

Determining Next Steps

To use the Columbia Protocol most effectively and efficiently, an organization can establish criteria or thresholds that determine what to do next for each person screened. Decisions about hospitalization, counseling, referrals, and other actions are informed by the “yes” or “no” answers and other factors, such as the recency of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

The Columbia Lighthouse Project provides many examples of triage documents that Columbia Protocol users in hospitals, primary care practices, behavioral health care facilities, military services, prisons, and other settings employ to make these decisions. The Project also provides assistance to any organization that is thinking through it's policy and establishing a care plan.

PRINTABLE PDF

SONS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION SQUADRON 112 SALT LAKE CITY ALR CHAPTER 112

Using Columbia Protocol

Asking Questions

Determining Next Steps

This website uses cookies.