What is the primary goal of a suicide risk assessment?

The primary goal of a suicide risk assessment is to evaluate immediate risk and plan appropriate interventions. This process involves identifying individuals who may be at risk of suicide by assessing various factors including their mental health status, situational stressors, previous suicide attempts, and current thoughts or plans regarding suicide.

Conducting a thorough assessment helps mental health professionals to determine the severity and immediacy of the risk, allowing for the development of tailored intervention strategies. These may include safety planning, referral to mental health services, or hospitalization if necessary. The focus is on ensuring the immediate safety of the individual and providing the support needed to address underlying issues contributing to the risk of suicide.

While fulfilling insurance requirements, gathering statistics, and enhancing understanding of mental health trends might be relevant to the broader context of mental health care and research, they do not take precedence over the urgent need to assess and manage an individual's risk of suicide effectively. Therefore, option C encapsulates the essence of what a suicide risk assessment aims to achieve.