What is a good opening question for a suicide assessment?

A good opening question for a suicide assessment aims to establish an understanding of the individual’s feelings about life and their mental state. The question about whether the person has ever felt that life was not worth living directly addresses thoughts of hopelessness and despair, which are critical components in assessing suicide risk. This question opens the door for a deeper conversation about their emotional well-being and can indicate whether they have experienced suicidal ideation, thus permitting a more comprehensive evaluation of their mental health status.

In contrast, the other options, while relevant to mental health discussions, do not specifically target the assessment of suicidal thoughts. The question about future plans may not effectively address current feelings of hopelessness or suicidal ideation. Inquiring about major stressors might identify contributing factors to distress, but it does not capture the individual's emotional perspective on life. Similarly, asking about coping mechanisms can reveal resilience and strategies but does not directly assess the presence of suicidal thoughts or feelings. Therefore, the question regarding feelings about life provides a more immediate insight into suicidal risk.