What tool is commonly used to screen for suicide risk in patients?

The PHQ-9, or Patient Health Questionnaire-9, is a widely used tool that includes a specific question about the presence of suicidal thoughts. It assesses the severity of depressive symptoms and includes inquiries regarding suicidal ideation, making it particularly valuable for screening for suicide risk in patients. The inclusion of this question allows healthcare providers to identify individuals who may need further evaluation or interventions related to their safety and mental health.

The other options, while useful for assessing various psychiatric conditions—such as depression and anxiety—do not specifically focus on suicide risk. The Beck Depression Inventory primarily measures the severity of depression, the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale assesses anxiety symptoms, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale focuses on generalized anxiety disorder. However, none of them include a direct inquiry about suicidal thoughts, thus limiting their effectiveness as a suicide risk screening tool compared to the PHQ-9.