Suicide intervention is a direct effort to prevent a person or persons from attempting suicide.
Asking direct questions is a recommended first step in intervention. These questions may include asking about whether a person is having thoughts of suicide, if they have thought about how they would do it, if they have access to the means to carry out their plan, and if they have a timeframe in mind. Asking these questions builds connection, a key protective factor in preventing suicide. These questions also enable all parties to establish a better understanding of risk. Research shows that asking direct questions about suicide does not increase suicidal ideation, and may decrease it.
