Suicide Facts
This is the approximate number one risk factor for suicide.
What is previous suicide attempt?
This common teen statement might signal passive suicidal ideation.
“I wish I could just go to sleep and never wake up.”
What is passive death wish / passive suicidal ideation?
The most important first step when someone discloses suicidal thoughts is this.
Answer: What is stay calm and listen without judgment?
his controversial Netflix series about teen suicide sparked major conversations about suicide contagion.
Answer: What is 13 Reasons Why?
A client says, “I don’t want to live like this anymore.” Your next step should be to do this.
Answer: What is ask directly about suicidal thoughts?
True or False: Asking someone if they are suicidal can increase the likelihood they will attempt suicide.
When assessing suicide risk with teens, this question should be asked directly rather than indirectly.
What is “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
This four-letter acronym is commonly used in suicide risk assessment to explore plan and access.
Answer: What is PLAN (or variations including plan, means, intent, timeline)?
This musician’s death in 2017 prompted global discussions about mental health and suicide.
Answer: Who is Chester Bennington?
A student says they have suicidal thoughts but no plan, no means, and strong supports. This level of risk might be considered this.
Answer: What is moderate or manageable risk (context dependent)?
Men die by suicide more often, but this group attempts suicide more frequently.
Who are women?
This protective factor is one of the strongest for adolescents experiencing suicidal thoughts.
What is a strong connection to a trusted adult?
Instead of saying “Everything will be okay,” a clinician might say this more supportive response.
Answer: What is “That sounds really painful. I’m glad you told me.”
This phenomenon occurs when media coverage of suicide leads to increased suicide attempts.
Answer: What is the Werther Effect?
This document outlines the steps and contacts for support during suicidal crises and is created collaboratively with the client.
Answer: What is a safety plan?
This age group has seen one of the most significant increases in suicide rates in recent years.
Who are youth and young adults (roughly 10–24)?
A teen says, “Don’t tell my parents.” Ethically and legally, clinicians usually must break confidentiality if this is present.
What is imminent risk of harm to self?
This intervention involves identifying people, coping strategies, and emergency resources before a crisis escalates.
Answer: What is a safety plan?
The opposite phenomenon, where responsible media reporting can reduce suicide risk, is called this.
Answer: What is the Papageno Effect?
This mistake is commonly made by clinicians and is no longer considered effective suicide prevention.
Answer: What is a “no-suicide contract”
This concept refers to a person feeling like they are a burden and don’t belong. It is central to Joiner’s Interpersonal Theory of Suicide.
What are perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness?
Name two warning signs that might suggest increasing suicide risk in teens.
What are withdrawal, giving away belongings, sudden mood changes, hopelessness, increased substance use, sleep changes, etc.
Research shows this specific action can significantly reduce suicide risk during crises.
Answer: What is restricting access to lethal means (means safety)?
Name one guideline recommended for media reporting about suicide.
Answer: What is avoid describing the method, avoid sensationalizing, include resources, focus on help-seeking?
A client says they have a plan to overdose tonight and have access to pills at home. The appropriate response is this.
Answer: What is immediate crisis intervention / emergency evaluation?