What does the term 'lifetime occurrences of attempts' refer to in suicide risk assessment?

The term 'lifetime occurrences of attempts' in suicide risk assessment specifically refers to the history of all suicide attempts throughout the client's life. This concept is critical in understanding the client's overall risk profile, as it encompasses every instance in which the individual has made a serious effort to end their own life. When assessing suicide risk, knowing the number and context of previous attempts can help mental health professionals gauge the severity of the client's current risk and design appropriate interventions. This information can reveal patterns over time, whether there are triggers for these attempts, and how the severity of those attempts may have changed.

The other options focus on different aspects of suicidal ideation or behavior. Suicidal thoughts alone do not directly indicate the history of attempts, nor does measuring thoughts in a limited timeframe provide a complete picture of a client's lifetime risk. Additionally, feelings of regret are more emotional responses rather than indicators of past behaviors or attempts and do not contribute directly to the understanding of lifetime occurrences of suicide attempts.