What immediate actions should be taken for someone who scores at the highest level on the C-SSRS?

When an individual scores at the highest level on the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), this indicates a significant risk of suicide and a need for urgent intervention. Immediate safety interventions are critical in such cases, as they address the pressing nature of the person's risk. These actions may include creating a safety plan, ensuring that the individual is not left alone, and possibly involving emergency services or hospitalization to provide a safe environment and immediate psychiatric care.

The option involving scheduling a follow-up appointment does not address the urgent needs of someone in crisis, as it implies a delay in receiving necessary support. Providing educational resources can be helpful in a broader context but is inadequate when immediate action is required for someone at high risk. Similarly, recommending outpatient therapy only would not suffice given the serious level of risk, as it may not provide the immediate support and monitoring that a person in crisis needs. Thus, prioritizing immediate safety interventions and considering hospitalization are essential steps in ensuring the individual's well-being and addressing the acute risk factors they may be facing.