The Columbia Protocol App is the mobile version of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), the most evidence-supported tool for suicide risk assessment. Developed by the Columbia Lighthouse Project, the app empowers anyone—including first responders, teachers, family members, and healthcare professionals—to identify suicide risk.
The tool uses a simple series of up to six plain-language, yes/no questions to quickly assess suicidal ideation and behavior, determine the severity and immediacy of risk, and recommend the appropriate level of support.
The core app is available for free and includes essential features such as crisis resources (e.g., 988, Veterans Crisis Line), suicide facts, and talking points to facilitate the conversation.
A key feature of the basic app is its strong focus on privacy: it does not ask for, collect, store, or distribute personally identifiable information (PII), and responses are not recorded or tied to the user's identity.
For organizations (e.g., healthcare systems, government agencies), a paid, customized version is available. This enterprise tier offers features like a Reporting Module for viewing usage data and Localized Contact Information for customized, area-specific support referrals.