What does "lethality" refer to in the context of suicide assessment?

In the context of suicide assessment, "lethality" specifically refers to the degree to which a method of self-harm can result in death. This concept is crucial for evaluating the risk associated with suicidal behaviors. Different methods of self-harm carry varying levels of lethality; for example, using a firearm or high-dose medication is generally more lethal than less harmful methods, such as cutting. Understanding lethality helps clinicians assess the immediate risk of suicide and determine the urgency and type of intervention required.

The other choices do not accurately capture the meaning of lethality. The frequency of suicidal thoughts relates more to the prevalence of ideation rather than its potential consequences. The ability to cope with stress is a factor that may influence an individual's resilience but does not directly pertain to the lethality of methods. Finally, the duration of suicidal ideation speaks to how long an individual has experienced such thoughts but does not address the potential severity of their actions. Thus, lethality is distinctively focused on the potential outcomes of specific methods, making option C the correct answer.