Understanding
Depression & Suicide

Stages of Suicidal Behavior

Stage 1 – Thinking about suicide

Almost all adolescents will think about suicide at some time between the ages of 10 and 20 (16.9% have seriously thought about it in the last 12 months)
For many, it is just one passing thought that does not return. For some, though, the thoughts continue and are dwelled upon.

To find out if a student is in Stage 1, ask:

Are you thinking about suicide?
If they answer, "Yes", continue the conversation by asking:
- How often are you thinking about it? or
- What about suicide are you thinking about?

Stage 2 – Planning their suicide

The student is formulating one plan that they will use to attempt suicide

To find out if a student is in Stage 2, ask:

How are you going to do it?
- If they say, "I don’t know" or throw out several random ideas, they are probably not in Stage 2
- If they give you one specific plan, they are probably in Stage 2

Stage 3 – Acquiring the means to do it

The student has everything they need to fulfill their plan and can usually tell you when and where they are going to do it

To find out if a student is in Stage 3, ask:

Do you have (a gun, pills, etc.)?
When are you going to do it?
Where are you going to do it?
- If they give you specific answers to these questions, they are probably in Stage 3

If a student is in Stage 2 or 3, you must consider their life in immediate danger and intervene right away. Do not leave the student alone. Contact local resources to help. If all else fails, call 9–1–1.

The only way to know what stage a student is in is to ask. Asking a student about suicide will not put the idea in their head and cause a suicide attempt (see Myths vs. Facts).