Which statement about suicide risk screening is true according to the material?

• A. It should be ongoing throughout counseling
• B. It should be conducted only at intake
• C. It is a one-time assessment
• D. It is the sole responsibility of psychiatrists

Answer: (A)

Suicide risk screening is an ongoing safety process in counseling. Risk can change day to day, as new stressors arise, symptoms shift, or treatment takes effect, so it’s important to assess and re-assess risk regularly rather than just at the start. Integrating universal screening into ongoing sessions helps catch emerging danger early, informs safety planning, and guides decisions about follow-up, crisis resources, and referrals. This continuous approach reflects how responsibility for safety is shared among the mental health team and emphasizes that risk is not a fixed, one-time finding. The idea that screening happens only at intake or only once misses how fluctuating risk can be and underestimates the need for ongoing monitoring and intervention.