The Suicide Status Form

A unique, multipurpose, clinical tool that guides the CAMS Framework®

The Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) is a flexible, evidence-based framework that engages patients and providers in a cooperative treatment of suicidal thoughts.

The Suicide Status Form (SSF) is a unique, multipurpose, clinical tool that guides the CAMS Framework®. It functions as a clinical roadmap within CAMS for assessments, treatment planning, tracking of patient stability, and, ultimately, clinical outcomes. Research has shown that collaboratively completing the assessment portions of the SSF is a therapeutic experience for the patient in itself.

The CAMS approach to suicidal risk has a beginning (the index first session of initial assessment and treating planning), a middle (the interim sessions of CAMS that begin with SSF Core Assessments, focusing on treating suicidal drivers, and treatment plan updates), and an end (the final session of CAMS and the completion of the Outcome/Disposition SSF).

How Clinicians Use the SSF

Adding the SSF into an EMR

CAMS-care Session Breakdown & Progress Guide

Session 1 of CAMS – The “Collaborative Assessment” – Pages 1 to 4

This is the “Collaborative Assessment” of CAMS and develops trust and engagement between the patient and clinician.

  • Page 1 – Patient completes Section A which includes rating their pain and reasons for living and dying
  • Page 2 – The clinician asks questions of the patient and completes the Treatment Plan (Sections B & C)
  • Page 3 – The CAMS Stabilization Plan includes restricting access to lethal means, ways to cope differently in a suicidal crisis, emergency contacts, and removing barriers to attending treatment
  • Page 4 – Clinician Post-session Evaluation – Part of the medical record, this is where the clinician documents the patient’s mental status, diagnosis and adds case notes (Section D)

Session 2 and ongoing Interim Sessions – Pages 5 & 6

Session 2 is where the treatment of the “drivers” begins.

Every interim session starts with the patient reviewing Section A and then the majority of the time is spent working on the drivers. The clinician uses their knowledge and skills to apply techniques to treat each driver (e.g. DBT, CBT, mindfulness, etc…). The session concludes with revisiting and updating the CAMS Treatment Plan, Section B.

Pages 5 and 6 of the SSF are used until three consecutive sessions of meaningfully managing suicidal thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are realized, and then interim CAMS care is poised to move into the final outcome/disposition phase.

Outcome/Disposition Phase – Pages 7 & 8

In this final session of CAMS, the clinician and patient agree that the patient is able to manage their suicidal thoughts and feelings. The next steps could include determining an optimal outcome and disposition.

Uses & Applications of the Suicide Status Form in the Modern Medical World

 

The Suicide Status Form in Electronic Medical Records

Guilford Press, the publisher of Dr. Jobes’s book on CAMS, Managing Suicidal Risk, 3rd Edition, a Collaborative Approach, has licensed CAMS-care to work with Electronic Medical Records companies to include the SSF in treatment platforms.

This is a breakthrough in the effective treatment of people with serious thoughts of suicide as behavioral health clinicians now have access to a proven, evidence-based treatment directly in their daily workflow – CAMS.

Contact Andrew Evans if you are interested in adding the Suicide Status Form into your Electronic Medical Records.

Using the Suicide Status Form with Telehealth

For ways to use the SSF with telehealth refer to our Telehealth resources.

Using the Suicide Status Form with Youth

There is a growing evidence base for the effectiveness of using CAMS with youth. Teenagers understand the CAMS Framework and react well to the Suicide Status Form. The Hope Institute in Perrysburg, Ohio which takes a number of referrals from local schools is seeing teenagers stabilize in an average of 5 weeks.

Learn More

Session 1 of CAMS – The “Collaborative Assessment” – Pages 1 to 4

This is the “Collaborative Assessment” of CAMS and develops trust and engagement between the patient and clinician.

  • Page 1 – Patient completes Section A which includes rating their pain and reasons for living and dying
  • Page 2 – The clinician asks questions of the patient and completes the Treatment Plan (Sections B & C)
  • Page 3 – The CAMS Stabilization Plan includes restricting access to lethal means, ways to cope differently in a suicidal crisis, emergency contacts, and removing barriers to attending treatment
  • Page 4 – Clinician Post-session Evaluation – Part of the medical record, this is where the clinician documents the patient’s mental status, diagnosis and adds case notes (Section D)

Session 2 and ongoing Interim Sessions – Pages 5 & 6

Session 2 is where the treatment of the “drivers” begins.

Every interim session starts with the patient reviewing Section A and then the majority of the time is spent working on the drivers. The clinician uses their knowledge and skills to apply techniques to treat each driver (e.g. DBT, CBT, mindfulness, etc…). The session concludes with revisiting and updating the CAMS Treatment Plan.

Pages 5 and 6 of the SSF are used until three consecutive sessions of meaningfully managing suicidal thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are realized, and then interim CAMS care is poised to move into the final outcome/disposition phase.

Outcome/Disposition Phase – Pages 7 & 8

In this final session of CAMS, the clinician and patient agree that the patient is able to manage their suicidal thoughts and feelings. The next steps could include determining an optimal outcome and disposition.

The Suicide Status Form in Electronic Medical Records

Guilford Press, the publisher of Dr. Jobes’s book on CAMS, Managing Suicidal Risk, 2nd Edition, a Collaborative Approach, has licensed CAMS-care to work with Electronic Medical Records companies to include the SSF in treatment platforms.

This is a breakthrough in the effective treatment of people with serious thoughts of suicide as behavioral health clinicians now have access to a proven, evidence-based treatment directly in their daily workflow – CAMS.

Contact Andrew Evans if you are interested in adding the Suicide Status Form into your Electronic Medical Records.

Using the Suicide Status Form with Telehealth

For ways to use the SSF with telehealth refer to our Telehealth resources.

Using the Suicide Status Form with Youth

There is a growing evidence base for the effectiveness of using CAMS with youth. Teenagers understand the CAMS Framework and react well to the Suicide Status Form. The Hope Institute in Perrysburg, Ohio which takes a number of referrals from local schools is seeing teenagers stabilize in an average of 5 weeks.

Learn More