Provider opinions of the acceptability of Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) Tool and the ASQ Brief Suicide Safety Assessment (BSSA) for universal suicide risk screening in community healthcare: Potential barriers and necessary elements for future implementation

A convenience sample of community health care providers (N = 19) was asked to preview and rate the acceptability of the Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) tool and the ASQ Brief Suicide Safety Assessment (BSSA) guide. Providers were also asked about potential barriers to implementation. The majority of participants stated they would be comfortable screening for suicide with the ASQ tool (78.9%; N = 15), that they would recommend the ASQ tool and the BSSA to colleagues (84.2%; N = 16), and that they were satisfied or highly satisfied with the ASQ and BSSA (88.2%; N = 13). Barriers to implementation reported included a lack of knowledge regarding suicide risk screening and lack of access to behavioral health resources. Education regarding the ASQ, the BSSA, and suicide risk screening are highlighted as crucial elements for future implementation.

Automated summary

This study surveyed 19 community health care providers on their acceptance of the Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) tool and the ASQ Brief Suicide Safety Assessment (BSSA) guide, as well as barriers to implementation. The majority of participants were comfortable with using the ASQ tool for suicide screening, would recommend it to colleagues, and expressed satisfaction with both the ASQ and BSSA. Barriers to implementation included a lack of knowledge about suicide risk screening and limited access to behavioral health resources.