Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury
Exam 2026/2027 – Questions and
Answers | Complete Study Guide
Section 1: Epidemiology and Risk Factors
1. Which population has the highest suicide rate in the United States?
• A. Adolescents aged 15–19
• B. Adults aged 45–64
• C. Men aged 75 and older
• D. Women aged 25–34
Rationale: While suicide is a leading cause of death across age groups, men aged 75 and
older have the highest suicide rate in the U.S., often related to social isolation, chronic illness,
and loss of independence. Women have higher attempt rates, but men have higher completion
rates.
2. Which of the following are known risk factors for suicide? (Select All That Apply)
• A. Prior suicide attempt
• B. Access to firearms
• C. Strong social support
• D. Chronic pain or terminal illness
• E. Family history of suicide
Rationale: Prior attempts, firearm access, chronic illness, and family history are well-
established risk factors. Strong social support is a protective factor, not a risk factor.
3. What is the approximate ratio of suicide attempts to completed suicides in the general
population?
, • A. 1:1
• B. 5:1
• C. 25:1
• D. 100:1
Rationale: Approximately 25 attempts occur for every completed suicide in the general
population, though this ratio varies by age and method.
4. Which gender is more likely to attempt suicide?
• A. Men
• B. Women
• C. Both equally
• D. Depends solely on age
Rationale: Women are more likely to attempt suicide, often using less lethal methods, while
men are more likely to complete suicide using more lethal means.
5. Which of the following is the strongest single predictor of suicide risk?
• A. Depression diagnosis
• B. Prior suicide attempt
• C. Substance use
• D. Recent job loss
Rationale: A prior suicide attempt is the single strongest predictor of future suicide risk.
6. What percentage of individuals who die by suicide had a diagnosable mental health
condition?
• A. 25%
• B. 50%
, • C. 75%
• D. Over 90%
Rationale: Over 90% of individuals who die by suicide had a diagnosable mental health
condition, most commonly depression or substance use disorders.
7. Which racial/ethnic group has seen the fastest-growing suicide rate in recent years?
• A. Caucasian Americans
• B. African Americans
• C. American Indian/Alaska Native
• D. Asian Americans
Rationale: American Indian/Alaska Native populations have experienced rapidly rising
suicide rates, particularly among youth and young adults.
8. Which of the following are protective factors against suicide? (Select All That Apply)
• A. Effective coping skills
• B. Access to lethal means
• C. Strong family connections
• D. Religious or spiritual beliefs
• E. History of impulsivity
Rationale: Coping skills, family connections, and religious/spiritual beliefs are protective.
Access to lethal means and impulsivity are risk factors.
9. What is the lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation in the U.S.?
• A. 1–2%
• B. 5–7%
• C. 9–10%
, • D. 20–25%
Rationale: Approximately 9–10% of the U.S. population reports lifetime suicidal ideation.
10. Which occupation has one of the highest suicide rates?
• A. Teachers
• B. Construction workers
• C. Retail workers
• D. Engineers
Rationale: Construction workers have one of the highest suicide rates, attributed to factors
like access to means, substance use, and job instability.
11. Which of the following is a warning sign of acute suicide risk?
• A. Sleeping more than usual
• B. Giving away prized possessions
• C. Increased appetite
• D. Improved mood
Rationale: Giving away possessions, saying goodbye, and sudden calm after depression are
acute warning signs.
12. Which age group has seen the sharpest increase in suicide rates over the past two
decades?
• A. Children under 10
• B. Adolescents and young adults
• C. Middle-aged adults
• D. Elderly adults
Rationale: Adolescents and young adults have seen the sharpest increases, particularly
females aged 10–24.
Exam 2026/2027 – Questions and
Answers | Complete Study Guide
Section 1: Epidemiology and Risk Factors
1. Which population has the highest suicide rate in the United States?
• A. Adolescents aged 15–19
• B. Adults aged 45–64
• C. Men aged 75 and older
• D. Women aged 25–34
Rationale: While suicide is a leading cause of death across age groups, men aged 75 and
older have the highest suicide rate in the U.S., often related to social isolation, chronic illness,
and loss of independence. Women have higher attempt rates, but men have higher completion
rates.
2. Which of the following are known risk factors for suicide? (Select All That Apply)
• A. Prior suicide attempt
• B. Access to firearms
• C. Strong social support
• D. Chronic pain or terminal illness
• E. Family history of suicide
Rationale: Prior attempts, firearm access, chronic illness, and family history are well-
established risk factors. Strong social support is a protective factor, not a risk factor.
3. What is the approximate ratio of suicide attempts to completed suicides in the general
population?
, • A. 1:1
• B. 5:1
• C. 25:1
• D. 100:1
Rationale: Approximately 25 attempts occur for every completed suicide in the general
population, though this ratio varies by age and method.
4. Which gender is more likely to attempt suicide?
• A. Men
• B. Women
• C. Both equally
• D. Depends solely on age
Rationale: Women are more likely to attempt suicide, often using less lethal methods, while
men are more likely to complete suicide using more lethal means.
5. Which of the following is the strongest single predictor of suicide risk?
• A. Depression diagnosis
• B. Prior suicide attempt
• C. Substance use
• D. Recent job loss
Rationale: A prior suicide attempt is the single strongest predictor of future suicide risk.
6. What percentage of individuals who die by suicide had a diagnosable mental health
condition?
• A. 25%
• B. 50%
, • C. 75%
• D. Over 90%
Rationale: Over 90% of individuals who die by suicide had a diagnosable mental health
condition, most commonly depression or substance use disorders.
7. Which racial/ethnic group has seen the fastest-growing suicide rate in recent years?
• A. Caucasian Americans
• B. African Americans
• C. American Indian/Alaska Native
• D. Asian Americans
Rationale: American Indian/Alaska Native populations have experienced rapidly rising
suicide rates, particularly among youth and young adults.
8. Which of the following are protective factors against suicide? (Select All That Apply)
• A. Effective coping skills
• B. Access to lethal means
• C. Strong family connections
• D. Religious or spiritual beliefs
• E. History of impulsivity
Rationale: Coping skills, family connections, and religious/spiritual beliefs are protective.
Access to lethal means and impulsivity are risk factors.
9. What is the lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation in the U.S.?
• A. 1–2%
• B. 5–7%
• C. 9–10%
, • D. 20–25%
Rationale: Approximately 9–10% of the U.S. population reports lifetime suicidal ideation.
10. Which occupation has one of the highest suicide rates?
• A. Teachers
• B. Construction workers
• C. Retail workers
• D. Engineers
Rationale: Construction workers have one of the highest suicide rates, attributed to factors
like access to means, substance use, and job instability.
11. Which of the following is a warning sign of acute suicide risk?
• A. Sleeping more than usual
• B. Giving away prized possessions
• C. Increased appetite
• D. Improved mood
Rationale: Giving away possessions, saying goodbye, and sudden calm after depression are
acute warning signs.
12. Which age group has seen the sharpest increase in suicide rates over the past two
decades?
• A. Children under 10
• B. Adolescents and young adults
• C. Middle-aged adults
• D. Elderly adults
Rationale: Adolescents and young adults have seen the sharpest increases, particularly
females aged 10–24.
