Risk Assessment and Safety Planning Note
Presenting Concerns and Risk Indicators:
Patient reported experiencing increased feelings of hopelessness and anhedonia over the past two weeks, following a recent job loss. Expressed passive suicidal ideation, stating, "Sometimes I just wish I wouldn't wake up." Denied active plans or intent, but acknowledged feeling overwhelmed and isolated. Also noted an increase in alcohol consumption from occasional social drinking to daily use (2-3 glasses of wine per evening).
History of Risk Behaviours:
Patient disclosed a history of depression with a previous episode five years ago that resulted in a brief hospitalisation due to severe anhedonia. No prior suicide attempts or self-harm behaviours reported. No history of aggression or domestic violence. No known substance-related high-risk incidents beyond current increased alcohol use.
Protective Factors and Strengths:
Patient has strong family support, particularly from their sister who lives nearby and checks in regularly. Expressed a desire to "feel better for my kids" and acknowledged the importance of maintaining their role as a parent. Possesses good insight into their emotional state and willingness to engage in therapy. Actively involved in a local community gardening group.
Current Risk Assessment:
Moderate risk. While denying active suicidal intent or specific plans, the presence of passive suicidal ideation, recent job loss, increased alcohol use, and a history of depressive episodes elevate the risk level. There is no immediate imminent danger, but close monitoring and active safety planning are crucial.
Safety Plan Components:
- Agreed to remove all alcohol from the home immediately and limit access.
- Identified sister, Sally, and best friend, Melinda, as primary emergency contacts. Patient has their numbers readily available.
- Committed to not being alone for extended periods, especially in the evenings, and will stay with their sister for the next few days.
- Will attend a virtual support group for job loss and depression starting 1 November 2024, as discussed.
- Identified deep breathing exercises and calling their sister as grounding techniques to use when feeling overwhelmed.
Referral or Escalation of Care:
No immediate emergency services contact was required. Discussed the possibility of connecting with a psychiatrist for medication management if symptoms do not improve with therapy. Patient agreed to consider this option if recommended at the next session.
Follow-up Plan:
Next therapy session scheduled for 1 November 2024, at 10:00 AM. Agreed to a telephonic check-in from the counselor on 30 October 2024 to monitor mood and adherence to safety plan. Patient will keep a mood journal and track alcohol intake until the next appointment.
Clinician Specialty: Counselors
Risk Assessment and Safety Planning Note
Presenting Concerns and Risk Indicators:
[Describe current behaviours, thoughts, statements, or symptoms suggesting risk to self or others, including suicidal ideation, threats of harm, emotional distress, escalating behaviour, or increased substance use. Also include contextual risk (e.g. recent trauma, GBV, loss, housing or food insecurity) if relevant.] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript or context, else omit section entirely.)
History of Risk Behaviours:
[Include any known history of self-harm, suicidal ideation or attempts, aggression, trauma exposure, psychiatric admissions, domestic violence (as victim or perpetrator), or substance-related high-risk incidents.] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript or context, else omit section entirely.)
Protective Factors and Strengths:
[Document any known protective factors such as family or community support, engagement in services, coping skills, religious or cultural beliefs, motivation to recover, parenting responsibilities, or good insight.] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript or context, else omit section entirely.)
Current Risk Assessment:
[State level of assessed risk (e.g. low, moderate, high) and whether there is imminent danger. Include rationale based on behaviour, history, current mental state, and any expressed intent or access to means.] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript or context, else omit section entirely.)
Safety Plan Components:
[Summarise collaboratively agreed steps to reduce risk. This may include:]
- [Removing access to means (e.g. weapons, medication)]
- [Emergency contacts such as family or community leaders]
- [Agreements around supervision or not being alone]
- [Engagement with religious or cultural support networks]
- [Use of helplines, mental health walk-ins, or nearby clinic services]
- [Distraction or grounding techniques discussed]
(Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript or context, else omit section entirely.)
Referral or Escalation of Care:
[Note if emergency services (EMS), SAPS, psychiatric crisis team, social worker, or family were contacted or involved. Include if any transfer to hospital or psychiatric assessment was arranged.] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript or context, else omit section entirely.)
Follow-up Plan:
[Outline the next steps in care, time frame for follow-up contact or review, and agreed monitoring strategies (e.g. clinic appointment, telephonic check-in, school follow-up).] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript or context, else omit section entirely.)
(Never come up with your own patient details, assessment, plan, interventions, evaluation, and plan for continuing care – use only the transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note as a reference for the information included in your note. If any information related to a placeholder has not been explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, you must not state that the information has not been explicitly mentioned in your output; just leave the relevant placeholder or section blank if not explicitly mentioned. Use as many lines, paragraphs or bullet points as needed to capture all the relevant information from the transcript.)