# Use of the Brief Suicide Cognitions Scale as a screening tool to identify latent risk in a gambling clinic sample

## TL;DR

This study shows that a short suicide risk tool can identify hidden risk in people seeking help for gambling problems, even when they aren't in an immediate crisis.

## Contribution

The study introduces a specific cut score for the B-SCS tailored to a gambling clinic sample to detect latent suicide risk.

## Key findings

- Individuals scoring above the B-SCS cut score showed elevated latent suicide risk.
- Gambling disorder patients exhibit baseline vulnerabilities similar to acutely suicidal populations.
- Early intervention and comprehensive suicide risk assessment are emphasized for this group.

## Abstract

The current study explored the clinical utility of the Brief Suicide Cognitions Scale Q10 (B-SCS) in a sample of individuals seeking treatment for gambling problems but not experiencing an acute suicidal crisis (N = 80).

The sample specific B-SCS cut score was determined using a normative sample comparison and its subsequent ability to identify latent suicide risk across a range of established risk factors was explored.

Findings suggests that those scoring above the B-SCS cutting score possess elevated latent suicide risk that can be both strategically identified and targeted despite the absence of an acute suicidal crisis.

These findings underscore the notion that individuals seeking treatment for gambling disorder exhibit elevated baseline vulnerabilities consistent with those observed in acutely suicidal populations, reinforcing the importance of comprehensive suicide risk assessment and early intervention with this population. Clinical implications of the findings and study limitations are discussed.