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This paper explores preferred ways of working in relation to suicide screening in situations where this is a requirement of professional practice. We describe our concerns about how approaches to 'suicide risk assessment' were affecting our work and the young people we were required to assess. We came to see the assessment process as an intervention of itself, with the potential for negative consequences for young people, workers and the therapeutic relationship. In response, we drew on a narrative and post-structuralist framework to develop an alternative set of assessment questions. Our questionnaire is intended to scaffold conversations that externalise the problem, elicit people's life-sustaining practices, and enable assessment of distress and suicidal thoughts. The questionnaire has so far been trialled by a young person and psychologist in Sydney, and an adult and mental health worker in Singapore. We present our findings about these insiders' experiences of the questionnaire. We hope this article will invite readers to connect to curiosity about ways of having conversations that open up space for people to speak of despair, and questions about living, in ways that are respectful and encouraging of life-sustaining steps.
Key words: assessment, questionnaires, risk, suicide, externalising, narrative therapy, youth, young people
Introduction
This co-research project developed while Carly was a psychology intern at a service catering for homeless youth and Rina was providing supervision. At this youth service In Sydney, all staff were required to 'administer' a suicide risk assessment to the young people who accessed the service. During supervisory conversations, Carly raised concerns about how the service's practices of 'risk assessment' were affecting her work, and we reflected on our reservations and hesitations about the approaches that were being used.
Carly: My first-hand experience In suicidal assessment coupled with the feedback offered by the numerous young people with whom I have worked provided valuable Insight into the strengths and limitations of the current process. It was clear that a novel approach to suicide assessment was not only warranted but worthy of consideration In orderio more accurately Identify and support those in crisis.
Rina: Carly's experiences of the risk assessment process resonated with me, as In my own work overtime I have spoken to many people who have expressed concerns regarding howto communicate distress, and...