What three factors are essential to determine high suicide risk, regardless of protective factors?

The determination of high suicide risk fundamentally hinges on three critical factors: desire, intent, and capability.

Desire refers to the individual's wish to engage in self-harm or end their life, which is often accompanied by feelings of hopelessness or despair. This factor is essential as it directly encompasses the individual's feelings and motivations towards suicide, making it a central component in assessing risk.

Intent involves the individual's commitment to follow through with their suicidal thoughts. It reflects their conviction that they will carry out the act, distinguishing between thoughts of suicide and actual plans to execute those thoughts. Evaluating intent is vital for understanding the immediacy and seriousness of an individual’s risk.

Capability relates to the individual’s perceived ability to carry out a suicide attempt. This can include factors like access to lethal means (e.g., methods or tools) and their physical or psychological readiness to act. Capability is crucial since someone may have the desire and intent without the means to take action.

Together, these three components help professionals assess the likelihood that an individual may attempt suicide, making them core elements of a comprehensive suicide risk evaluation. In contrast, the other answer choices include factors that might contribute to or influence overall mental health but do not capture the direct risk indicators as effectively as desire