Asking specific questions about someone’s plans

Across standard suicide screening tools, there are multiple questions that can be used to learn about potential plans regarding suicidal actions. 

People are asked: 

“Do you have intent to kill yourself?”

“Do you have a plan for how you might do that?” and/or 

“Have you thought through how you might do that?”

This phrasing can be confusing, especially for a young person. It also leaves out an opportunity to dig a little deeper into what a person may be thinking or doing. By asking questions that are more specific and person-centred, you can gather more information to make individualised plans for the person at risk. 

With a youth, consider asking: 

“Have you ever typed ‘suicide’ into a search engine or social media outlet that wasn’t for school assignment research?” 

With an adult, perhaps try: 

“It is not uncommon for people to search online about the least painful ways to take their life or ways to reduce the impact on their family. Have you ever found yourself doing that?”

Understanding a person’s specific plans regarding the way they may end their life is one more important piece of information to ask about in order to make plans to help that individual begin to feel better.