Proactively asking questions in a supportive atmosphere can be the best way to identify people who are at risk and get them the help they need. For example, the U.S. Marine Corps’ use of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) as part of a broader suicide prevention program contributed to a 22% reduction in the number of active duty Marines who died by suicide in 2014. This Risk assessment tool is:

Simple. Ask all the questions in a few moments or minutes — with no mental health training required to ask them. The scale can be used anywhere by anyone, such as a doctor in a health care facility, a counselor in a Vet Center, a chaplain in the field, or a commander within a unit — even by a soldier with a comrade.

Efficient. Use of the scale redirects resources to where they’re needed most. It reduces unnecessary referrals and interventions by more accurately identifying who needs help — and it makes it easier to correctly identify the level of support a person needs, such as patient safety monitoring procedures, counseling, or emergency room care.

Effective. Real-world experience and data show that the scale has helped prevent suicide. To make it even more effective for assessing service members, The Columbia Lighthouse Project added questions based on military-specific risk factors.

Free. The scale and the training on how to use it are available free of charge for use in community and healthcare settings, as well as in federally funded or nonprofit research.

Evidence-supported. An unprecedented amount of research has validated the relevance and effectiveness of the questions used in the C-SSRS to assess suicide risk, making it the most evidence-based tool of its kind.

Universal. The C-SSRS is suitable for all ages and special populations in different settings and is available in more than 100 country-specific languages. For training and more information on this system please The Columbia Lighthouse Project.