LOS ANGELES COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH
  Policy 302.13 Suicide Risk Screening, Assessment, and Mitigation
 
  PROCEDURES
  1. Workforce members shall take the following actions for clients at a moderate to high suicide risk:
     
    1. Notify the clinical supervisor/manager.
       
    2. Assess if the client meets the criteria of danger to self.
       
      1. If applicable, refer to a Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) designated staff to initiate an application for involuntary detention in accordance with California Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Sections 5150 or 5585 (Policy 307.01).
         
    3. Notify a psychiatrist or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) about the suicide risk as soon as possible to determine if a medication consultation prior to the next scheduled consultation is advised.
       
    4. Develop a safety plan with the client and support person(s) to identify and monitor risk factor(s), protective factor(s), and next steps.
       
    5. For insufficient client engagement:
       
      1. Notify the clinical supervisor/manager and treatment team.
         
      2. Update the safety plan to mitigate the suicide risk.
         
      3. Document current level of engagement and update the safety plan.
         
      4. Re-evaluate client's engagement and ongoing treatment as needed.