High Suicide Risk

Patient with psychiatric diagnoses with severe symptoms or acute precipitating event, with insufficient protective factors. 

Examples of high risk, active suicidal ideation

• Psychiatric diagnoses with severe symptoms
• Or acute precipitating event
• Active intent
• Has lethal means of harming self, e.g. firearms, toxic medications, etc.
• Unable to contract for safety, i.e. patient is unable to agree to tell someone else if suicidal ideation worsens
• Potentially lethal suicide attempt or persistent ideation with strong intent or suicide rehearsal.
• Protective factors not relevant

Consider the following

Contact the psychiatrist on-call at your local hospital

In Canada: 

• Consider sending to your local hospital
  
  

In Ontario: 

• Consider sending to your local Schedule 1 facility for emergent assessment
• Complete a Form 1 (Application by Physician for Psychiatric Assessment)
• Information about Form 2
  
  

In Ottawa:

• Consider contacting Psychiatrist On-Call at local schedule 1 hospital such as:
  • Ottawa Hospital, Civic Campus, 1053 Carling Avenue, 613-722-7000
  • Ottawa Hospital, General Campus, 501 Smyth Road, 613-722-7000
  • Queensway Carleton Hospital, 3045 Baseline, 613-721-2000
  • Hôpital Montfort, 713 Montreal Rd, 613-746-4621

In acute emergency, call 911

To contact Ottawa police about Form 1 call 613-230-6211

May be instructed to fax  Form 1 to CPIC at  613-760-8007 or email to cpicsection@ottawapolice.ca 

Reference: Suicide Assessment Five-step Evaluation and Triage (SAFE-T)