Name the two free, evidence-based suicide screening tools mentioned.

• A. Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (CSSRS) and Ask Suicide Screening Questions (ASQ).
• B. PHQ-9 and GAD-7.
• C. Beck Depression Inventory and MRS.
• D. MINDScreen and SCARE.

Answer: (A)

The question is about identifying two free, evidence-based tools you can use to screen for suicide risk in clinical settings. The best pair is the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale and the Ask Suicide Screening Questions.

The Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale provides a structured way to assess both the presence and the severity of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and it can be used across different ages and settings. It helps clinicians determine how imminent and how high the risk is, guiding decisions about safety planning and follow-up. Importantly, it is publicly available for clinical and research use at no charge, which is why it’s widely described as free to use.

Ask Suicide Screening Questions is a concise four-item screener designed for youth and young adults. It’s specifically crafted to quickly identify those who may need a more thorough risk assessment, making it ideal for primary care, school, and emergency settings. Its brevity and strong validation data support its status as an evidence-based, free screening tool.

In practice, you might start with the quick ASQ in youth, and if it flags risk, follow with the CSSRS for a deeper evaluation and to guide safety planning. This combination covers efficient initial screening and a more detailed risk assessment, using tools that are freely available and evidence-based.