SUICIDAL IDEATION
Ask questions 1 and 2. If both are negative, proceed to “Suicidal Behavior”
section. If the answer to question 2 is “yes”, ask questions 3, 4 and 5. If the
answer to question 1 and/or 2 is “yes”, complete “Intensity of Ideation”
section below.
1. Wish to be Dead Subject endorses thoughts about a wish to be dead or
not alive anymore, or wish to fall asleep and not wake up.
Have you thought about being dead or what it would be like to be
dead?
Have you wished you were dead or wished you could go to sleep and
never wake up?
Do you wish you weren’t alive anymore?
If yes, describe: Danielle told her school psychologist, “I just wish I
could disappear. Life would be better for everyone if I was not here.”
This statement clearly shows a wish to be dead or not alive anymore,
as she believes her absence would benefit others.
2. Non-Specific Active Suicidal Thoughts General, non-specific thoughts of
wanting to end one’s life/commit suicide (e.g., “I’ve thought about killing
myself”) without thoughts of ways to kill oneself/associated methods, intent,
or plan during the assessment period.
Have you thought about doing something to make yourself not alive
anymore?
Have you had any thoughts about killing yourself?
If yes, describe: Danielle’s friend reported that she was posting
“very hopeless, sad, and scary things on social media.” These posts,
combined with her statement about wanting to disappear, suggest
non-specific suicidal thoughts, a desire to die without a concrete plan.
Her hopelessness (“I’m no good at anything. I’m a total loser.”) is a
strong predictor of suicidal ideation, as our text notes that
Ask questions 1 and 2. If both are negative, proceed to “Suicidal Behavior”
section. If the answer to question 2 is “yes”, ask questions 3, 4 and 5. If the
answer to question 1 and/or 2 is “yes”, complete “Intensity of Ideation”
section below.
1. Wish to be Dead Subject endorses thoughts about a wish to be dead or
not alive anymore, or wish to fall asleep and not wake up.
Have you thought about being dead or what it would be like to be
dead?
Have you wished you were dead or wished you could go to sleep and
never wake up?
Do you wish you weren’t alive anymore?
If yes, describe: Danielle told her school psychologist, “I just wish I
could disappear. Life would be better for everyone if I was not here.”
This statement clearly shows a wish to be dead or not alive anymore,
as she believes her absence would benefit others.
2. Non-Specific Active Suicidal Thoughts General, non-specific thoughts of
wanting to end one’s life/commit suicide (e.g., “I’ve thought about killing
myself”) without thoughts of ways to kill oneself/associated methods, intent,
or plan during the assessment period.
Have you thought about doing something to make yourself not alive
anymore?
Have you had any thoughts about killing yourself?
If yes, describe: Danielle’s friend reported that she was posting
“very hopeless, sad, and scary things on social media.” These posts,
combined with her statement about wanting to disappear, suggest
non-specific suicidal thoughts, a desire to die without a concrete plan.
Her hopelessness (“I’m no good at anything. I’m a total loser.”) is a
strong predictor of suicidal ideation, as our text notes that
