This was created by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and includes four items to screen for suicides. Sensitivity of the measure is 97% and specificity is 88%.

Ask Suicide Screening Questions (ASQ)

This was created Horowitz et al. and includes 4 questions to screen ages 8-21 for suicide risk. Sensitivity of the measure is 98% and specificity is 37%.

Risk or Suicide Questionnaire (RSQ)

This was developed by Postner et al. to assess severity of suicidal ideation and behavior in adolescents and adults. It includes 17 questions and has 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity.

Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)

Someone may need suicide screening if they feel hopeless; use more alcohol and drugs; have severe mood swings; become less social; change their eating habits; or change their sleep routine.

When to Use Suicide Screening

This is used to check if someone is at risk of taking their own lives. Tools include Ask Suicide Screening Questions (ASQ), Risk or Suicide Questionnaire (RSQ), and Columbia-Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS).

New Mexico Highlands University

Health Psychology research studies relating to Suicide include
- Suicide stigma and secrecy can contribute to increased suicidality
- Suicide screening tools
- Pediatric suicidal ideation
- Suicide and criminal justice population


Health Psychology Research Relating to Suicide

Hackfield, Melody (2020). Implementation of a pediatric/adolescent suicide risk screening tool for patients presenting to the Emergency Department with nonbehavioral health complaints. Journal of child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 33 (3), 131-140. https://onlinelibrary-wiley-com.proxy.wichita.edu/doi/10.1111/jcap.12276

Implementation of a pediatric/adolescent suicide risk screening tool for patients presenting to the Emergency Department with nonbehavioral health complaints

Based on current research studies, anticipated suicide stigma and secrecy about one's suicidal behavior can contribute to increased suicidality (includes both suicidal ideations and actual suicide attempts) among suicide attempt survivors, as well as those living with a mental illness. 

Suicide stigma and secrecy can contribute to increased suicidality

From 2016 to 2021, emergency room visits for suicidal ideation among 5 to 19 year olds rose 59%. Hospitalizations for this rose 57% from 2019 to 2020. 

Pediatric Suicidal Ideation 

Sucide Screening Tools


Those in the criminal justice population are at a higher risk of suicide compared to other groups in the U.S. In county jails, where people are held pretrial and serve less than a year, suicide is often the leading cause of death. In prisons with sentences greater than a year, about half of unnatural deaths are due to suicide.

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