Cultural Assessment of Risk for Suicide (CARS measure) Surveyed 950 African American, Asian American, Latino/a American, and LGBTQ participants Found 4 areas where culture matters: Cultural Sanctions Idioms of Distress Minority Stress Social Discord

Cultural Sanctions Basic question: Is suicide acceptable in the client’s culture? For assessment, Does the client think suicide would bring shame to his or her family? Does the client think suicide is morally wrong in his or her culture?

Idioms (Verbal Expressions) of Distress Basic question: How does the client talk about suicide, directly and indirectly? For assessment, Does the client say it takes him or her a long time to get over being angry? Does the client say that no one else knows he or she has thought about suicide?

Minority Stress Basic question: Does the client face discrimination or specific difficulties because of their group identity? For assessment, Does the client say no one understands his, her, or their pain because of his, her or their sexuality or gender? Does the client say he, she, or they feel confused or lost when seeking help in America?

Social Discord Basic question: Is the client facing family conflict? Is the client connected with friends and community? For assessment, Does the client think he, she, or they have disappointed his, her, or their family? Does the client feel valued by others?