
The assessment of clinical risk in mental health services
Date of publication: October 2018
This study examined which risk assessment tools are currently used in mental health services. We wanted to identify how effectively these tools were being used prior to patient suicide, especially in patients rated as at low or no risk of suicide at their final contact with a mental health professional. We also asked staff, patients, and carers about their experience of risk and safety assessment, their views on the effectiveness of risk assessment tools, and how their use might be improved.
Key messages
Risk assessment tools should not focus on prediction
Most risk assessment tools sought to predict future behaviour. Risk assessment tools should not be seen as a way of predicting future suicidal behaviour.
Risk assessment is not a checklist
Risk is not a number, and risk assessment is not a checklist. Tools if they are used (for example as a prompt or a measure of change) need to be simple, accessible, and should be considered part of a wider assessment process. Treatment decisions should not be determined by a score.
Risk assessment is not a stand-alone or one-off process

Staff training

Family and carer involvement in the assessment process

Personalised risk management
