Which framework is designed to assess suicidality and guide treatment around risk?

• A. CAMS
• B. ACT
• C. DBT
• D. MBCT

Answer: (A)

The key idea is a framework built around suicidality as the central clinical target. This approach treats suicidal thoughts and risk as the primary problem to assess, understand, and reduce, using a collaborative process with the patient. It employs a structured tool—the Suicide Status Form—to evaluate the seriousness of the suicide risk, including intent, plan, means, lethality, and imminence, and to identify driving factors behind the distress. This framework then guides the treatment plan to address those drivers and implement safety measures, such as crisis planning and reducing access to means, while tracking changes in risk over time.

Other therapies focus on broader processes rather than risk around suicidality itself: ACT emphasizes values and psychological flexibility; DBT provides skills for emotion regulation and crisis management; MBCT targets relapse prevention through mindfulness. While each can help someone at risk, CAMS is specifically designed to assess suicidality and steer treatment around reducing that risk.