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Free Suicide Survey

50+ Expert Crafted Suicide Survey Questions

Measuring suicide risk through targeted suicide survey questions empowers you to spot warning signs early and save lives. A suicide prevention survey questions tool is a structured questionnaire that uncovers awareness, risk factors, and protective influences to inform effective prevention strategies. Download our free template preloaded with example survey questions about suicide - or tweak it or build your own using our form builder.

In the past two weeks, how often have you had thoughts of harming yourself?
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Always
I have access to means to harm myself if I decide to do so.
1
2
3
4
5
Strongly disagreeStrongly agree
I feel that there is someone I can reach out to for emotional support.
1
2
3
4
5
Strongly disagreeStrongly agree
Have you ever attempted to end your life?
Yes
No
Have you sought professional help for mental health concerns?
Yes
No
What type of mental health support have you accessed?
Therapist or counselor
Psychiatrist
Support group
Crisis hotline
None
Other
What coping strategies or resources have you found helpful when you are feeling distressed?
What is your age range?
Under 18
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65 or older
What is your gender?
Female
Male
Non-binary
Prefer not to say
Other
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Top Secrets to Creating a Suicide Survey That Saves Lives

Crafting a reliable Suicide survey is essential for meaningful prevention efforts. It goes beyond mere questions - it creates a safe space for honest answers. By choosing focused suicide prevention survey questions, you can detect early warning signs. This approach paves the way for timely support and care.

Start with proven tools like Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised. The four-item SBQ-R assesses lifetime ideation, attempt frequency, and future risk. Grounding your survey in research boosts credibility and response quality. It's a step toward data you can trust.

Keep questions clear and compassionate. For example, "Have you felt that life wasn't worth living in the past two weeks?" invites direct but sensitive reflection. Or ask, "On a scale from 1 - 5, how often have you thought about ending your life?" to quantify risk. These targeted survey questions about suicide offer clarity without judgment.

Prioritize anonymity and trust. Clearly state that responses stay confidential. Use simple Likert scales to measure intensity rather than open”ended prompts every time. That balance encourages honest sharing and easier analysis.

Imagine a school counselor using this framework during student check-ins. They share the survey digitally, then review responses for any red flags. A single honest answer can prompt a supportive conversation. That real-world impact shows why your survey design matters.

Don't overlook protective factors. The Reasons for Living Inventory highlights personal motivations to stay alive. Incorporate a question like, "What keeps you going when you feel overwhelmed?" to capture hope and resilience. Balancing risk and hope paints a fuller picture.

Ready to launch? Check our Suicide Awareness Survey template and run a quick poll to see how your audience responds. With these top secrets in hand, you'll build a Suicide survey that truly makes a difference.

3D voxel resilience gauge for a Suicide survey
3D voxel empathy index assessing suicidal risk

5 Must-Know Mistakes to Avoid When Building Your Suicide Survey

Launching your own Suicide survey feels urgent, but common missteps can undermine trust. Avoid vague wording that leaves respondents guessing what you mean. Clarity builds comfort, and comfort builds honesty. Remember, clarity is a cornerstone of effective suicide prevention survey questions.

Mistake #1: Overloading with too many items. A 20-question treasure hunt feels overwhelming. Stick to under 10 well-crafted items like "How often have you felt hopeless this month?" or "Who do you turn to when stressed?" This keeps fatigue at bay.

Mistake #2: Ignoring validated scales. Skipping tools like the Modified Scale for Suicidal Ideation sacrifices reliability. These instruments offer proven scoring and allow easier comparison to research norms. Use them to sharpen data quality and confidence.

Mistake #3: Skipping context. Questions that appear out of nowhere feel jarring. Introduce a warm note: "We're here to listen - your voice matters." Then ask, "On a scale from 1 - 5, how often have you thought about self-harm?" A friendly setup eases respondents in.

Mistake #4: Forgetting follow-up resources. If someone scores high, don't leave them hanging. At survey end, link to support lines and offer immediate contacts. A best practice is to include an optional call-back request: "May we call you to talk about your responses?"

Mistake #5: Neglecting analysis strategy. Raw results mean little without a plan. Review trends monthly and cross-tabulate by demographic. For instance, an HR team used our Mental Health Survey Questions framework to spot a spike in stress among new hires - and intervened early.

By avoiding these five pitfalls and leaning on tools like The Suicidal Affect-Behavior-Cognition Scale, you'll transform raw data into life-saving insights. Always pilot your survey with a small group, gather feedback, and refine before wider release.

Suicide Prevention Survey Questions

These questions are designed to uncover factors that can help prevent suicidal behavior by identifying warning signs and available supports. Use the insights to inform prevention strategies and training programs, complementing your broader Mental Health Survey Questions efforts.

  1. Have you ever felt able to recognize warning signs of suicidal thoughts in yourself or others?
  2. Understanding self-awareness of warning signs helps tailor prevention education to those who may not know how to spot early indicators.

  3. How comfortable are you discussing suicidal thoughts with a trusted friend or family member?
  4. This question gauges willingness to seek social support, which is a key protective factor against suicide.

  5. Are you aware of any local or online resources for suicide prevention?
  6. Identifying resource awareness highlights gaps in information dissemination and outreach effectiveness.

  7. Have you participated in any suicide prevention training or workshops?
  8. Tracking participation in training reveals how many respondents have practical prevention skills.

  9. Do you feel prepared to respond if someone you know is showing signs of suicidal distress?
  10. Assessing perceived preparedness supports the development of targeted intervention training.

  11. What barriers, if any, prevent you from accessing mental health or crisis support services?
  12. Pinpointing barriers - financial, social, or logistical - guides efforts to remove obstacles.

  13. How often do you check in on friends or family who may be struggling emotionally?
  14. Frequency of check-ins reflects proactive social support behaviors, crucial for prevention.

  15. Have you ever used a crisis hotline or chat service in an emergency?
  16. Usage rates of crisis services indicate the reach and effectiveness of these immediate support options.

  17. Do you think your community is doing enough to promote suicide prevention?
  18. Perception of community efforts helps identify areas where public engagement needs strengthening.

  19. Would you be willing to volunteer or advocate for suicide prevention initiatives?
  20. Measuring willingness to get involved highlights potential advocates and community champions.

Suicide Awareness Survey Questions

This section aims to measure awareness of suicide risk factors, signs, and the overall topic within your community. The responses will help you refine public education campaigns and contribute to a comprehensive Suicide Awareness Survey .

  1. How familiar are you with the common warning signs of suicidal behavior?
  2. Assessing familiarity ensures education materials cover gaps in knowledge about red flags.

  3. Have you ever encountered information about suicide awareness through social media or news outlets?
  4. Understanding exposure channels helps optimize outreach to the most effective media.

  5. Do you know the hotlines or emergency numbers to call for someone in a suicidal crisis?
  6. Knowledge of crisis contacts is essential for timely intervention and support.

  7. Can you name any organizations that specialize in suicide prevention?
  8. Identifying organizational awareness indicates the visibility and branding success of prevention groups.

  9. Have you attended any talks, webinars, or community events on suicide awareness?
  10. Participation data reveals community engagement levels and interest in educational programs.

  11. What myths about suicide have you heard, and how would you correct them?
  12. Exploring myths and corrections informs the creation of targeted myth-busting content.

  13. Do you feel comfortable sharing suicide awareness information with your social network?
  14. Comfort levels in sharing highlight social stigma and barriers to open conversation.

  15. Have you read or viewed stories from individuals who have survived suicide attempts?
  16. Exposure to survivor stories can reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking behaviors.

  17. What do you believe are the most important topics to include in suicide awareness programs?
  18. Collecting priorities directly from the audience guides program content planning.

  19. Would you support workplace or school initiatives focused on suicide awareness?
  20. Support indicators show where to focus institutional outreach and partnership efforts.

Suicide Risk Assessment Survey Questions

These questions are intended to evaluate the level of risk for suicidal ideation and behaviors among respondents. The data collected can be integrated with tools like the Depression Survey to deepen your understanding of mental health risks.

  1. In the past month, how often have you had thoughts of ending your life?
  2. Frequency of ideation is a core metric in assessing immediate risk levels for intervention.

  3. Have you ever planned how you might attempt suicide?
  4. Planning indicates a higher risk threshold than passive thoughts alone and requires urgent attention.

  5. Have you made any previous suicide attempts?
  6. History of attempts is one of the strongest predictors of future risk and informs safety planning.

  7. How intense are your feelings of hopelessness on a scale from 1 to 10?
  8. Quantifying hopelessness provides a measurable gauge of emotional distress severity.

  9. Do you have access to means (e.g., medications or weapons) that you could use to harm yourself?
  10. Access to means is a critical factor in risk reduction strategies and safety planning.

  11. Are there protective factors in your life (e.g., supportive relationships or future goals)?
  12. Identifying protective factors helps to balance risk assessment and guide interventions.

  13. Have you been diagnosed with a mental health disorder by a professional?
  14. Professional diagnoses contextually enrich risk profiles and inform appropriate referrals.

  15. Do you feel you have adequate coping strategies to manage distressing thoughts?
  16. Self-reported coping capacity highlights areas for skill building and support needs.

  17. How likely are you to seek help if your suicidal thoughts become overwhelming?
  18. Assessing help-seeking intent reveals potential barriers and the need for encouragement.

  19. Would you agree to a follow-up assessment if recommended by a mental health professional?
  20. Willingness to engage further guides the feasibility of ongoing risk monitoring.

Crisis Intervention Survey Questions

This set evaluates readiness and experiences around crisis intervention, ensuring timely support for those at risk. Pair these with the Command Climate Suicide Question Survey for organizational insights.

  1. Have you ever intervened when someone expressed suicidal thoughts?
  2. Past intervention experiences reveal confidence and areas for additional training.

  3. How confident are you in recognizing a mental health crisis in others?
  4. Self-rated confidence levels help tailor skill-building workshops and protocols.

  5. Would you know what steps to take if someone disclosed suicidal intent to you?
  6. Assessing step-by-step knowledge uncovers procedural gaps in crisis response.

  7. Have you contacted emergency services for a mental health crisis in the past?
  8. Emergency contact usage rates indicate how often crises escalate without intermediate support.

  9. Do you feel organizations in your community are responsive to mental health emergencies?
  10. Perceptions of organizational responsiveness guide collaborations and resource allocation.

  11. Are you aware of any peer-support or crisis intervention programs available to you?
  12. Awareness of peer programs shows the reach and visibility of grassroots intervention efforts.

  13. Have you received training in psychological first aid or similar crisis intervention methods?
  14. Training participation data helps measure preparedness and skill levels among respondents.

  15. Would you be comfortable providing emotional support to someone in crisis?
  16. Comfort levels indicate interpersonal barriers or readiness to engage in crisis support.

  17. Do you believe crisis hotlines are adequately staffed and accessible?
  18. Trust in hotlines affects willingness to recommend these services to others in need.

  19. What additional crisis support services would you like to see implemented?
  20. Collecting service requests informs development and expansion of crisis intervention resources.

Student Mental Health & Suicide Survey Questions

Tailored for academic settings, these questions explore mental health stressors and suicide risk among students. Use them alongside your Student Mental Health Survey to shape campus support services.

  1. How often do academic pressures cause you significant stress?
  2. Frequency of stress helps identify students at higher risk for mental health decline.

  3. Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by schoolwork that you considered self-harm?
  4. Linking academic overwhelm with self-harm thoughts highlights urgent support needs.

  5. Do you know where to find on-campus counseling or crisis services?
  6. Resource awareness determines how effectively students can access mental health support.

  7. Have you participated in any campus workshops on stress management or suicide prevention?
  8. Workshop attendance indicates student engagement and program reach within the campus community.

  9. How comfortable are you talking to faculty or staff about your mental health?
  10. Comfort levels with authority figures reveal trust issues and training needs for staff.

  11. Do you feel peer support groups on campus are helpful for discussing emotional challenges?
  12. Perceptions of peer groups guide improvements to group formats and facilitation.

  13. Have academic deadlines ever led you to skip meals, sleep, or self-care?
  14. Identifying self-neglect behaviors flags students who might be at higher risk.

  15. Would you use a text-based mental health support service if offered by your school?
  16. Assessing openness to digital services helps expand remote and accessible support options.

  17. Do you believe your institution promotes a healthy balance between academics and well-being?
  18. Perceptions of institutional culture guide policy recommendations and program adjustments.

  19. What additional mental health resources would benefit you as a student?
  20. Collecting resource requests directly informs expansion plans for student support services.

Psychological Insights for Suicide Survey Questions

These questions delve into psychological factors such as resilience, coping, and stigma to inform deeper analysis. They complement your ongoing Psychological Survey initiatives.

  1. How would you rate your ability to cope with sudden emotional distress?
  2. Self-rated coping capacity identifies who may need additional skill-building support.

  3. Do you believe talking about suicide increases or decreases risk?
  4. Understanding beliefs about discussion informs stigma-reduction strategies and messaging.

  5. How resilient do you feel after experiencing a significant setback?
  6. Measuring resilience reveals psychological buffers against suicidal ideation.

  7. Have you ever used mindfulness or relaxation techniques to manage negative thoughts?
  8. Technique usage rates guide the integration of evidence-based coping methods into programs.

  9. Do you think admitting suicidal thoughts makes you vulnerable to judgment?
  10. Exploring fears of judgment helps tailor anti-stigma campaigns and peer support frameworks.

  11. How often do you experience intrusive or unwanted thoughts about self-harm?
  12. Frequency of intrusive thoughts is key to risk profiling and clinical referrals.

  13. Do you feel your emotional experiences are validated by those around you?
  14. Validation perceptions indicate social support quality and highlight needs for empathy training.

  15. Would you participate in a resilience-building workshop if offered?
  16. Interest levels in resilience training reveal readiness and demand for preventive interventions.

  17. How much control do you feel you have over your negative thoughts?
  18. Perceived control influences treatment approaches, including cognitive-behavioral techniques.

  19. What psychological factors do you think most affect your risk for suicidal thoughts?
  20. Gathering personal insights guides custom research on psychological determinants of risk.

FAQ

What are the most effective questions to include in a suicide prevention survey?

Include direct measures of ideation, intent, history of attempts, and protective factors. Use standardized items like PHQ-9 item 9 and open-text prompts. A suicide prevention survey template with clear example questions, balanced response scales, and optional fields ensures comprehensive risk assessment in your free survey design.

How can I assess the severity of suicidal ideation in survey respondents?

Use validated Likert scales like the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation or PHQ-9 item 9 in your survey template. Offer step-by-step frequency anchors from mild thoughts to active planning. Include cut-off scores and examples questions to ensure consistent severity assessment and risk triage in your free survey tool.

What are the key risk factors to address in suicide survey questions?

Key risk factors include previous attempts, mental health diagnoses, substance abuse, social isolation, chronic pain, and recent losses. Incorporate a suicide prevention survey template with example questions covering each domain. Use structured response options, trigger warnings, and validated measures. This free survey design addresses comprehensive risk profiling succinctly.

How do I phrase questions to identify past suicide attempts in a survey?

Use direct, nonjudgmental phrasing like: "Have you ever intentionally harmed yourself with the intent to die?" Include date ranges and frequency options. In a suicide prevention survey template, example questions should offer clear yes/no choices plus an optional follow-up text box. This free survey style respects comfort and clarity.

What are the best practices for asking about suicide plans in a survey?

Ask specific, stepwise questions: "Have you thought about how or when you might act on suicidal thoughts?" followed by "Do you have a plan?" Use a suicide prevention survey template with example questions, clear response scales, and supportive resources. This free survey approach balances data accuracy with respondent safety.

How can I evaluate the effectiveness of my suicide prevention survey questions?

Analyze psychometric properties: reliability, validity, sensitivity, and specificity. Pilot test with your target audience using a survey template, collect feedback, and compute Cronbach's alpha. Compare response patterns against clinical data. Implement example questions and free survey iterations, refine wording and scales, and measure predictive accuracy.

What are the ethical considerations when designing suicide survey questions?

Ensure informed consent, anonymity, and immediate support resources. Use clear suicide prevention survey template language, trigger warnings, and opt-out options. Avoid stigmatizing phrasing and guarantee data confidentiality. Include example questions that prompt referral to crisis lines. A free survey must prioritize participant safety and ethical compliance.

How do I ensure cultural sensitivity in suicide prevention survey questions?

Collaborate with diverse focus groups to adapt a suicide prevention survey template. Use inclusive language and culturally relevant example questions addressing stigma, beliefs, and support practices. Translate and back-translate items, and pilot test free survey versions. Provide context-specific response options to respect cultural nuances and improve accuracy.

What are the recommended scales for measuring suicidal thoughts in surveys?

Widely used scales include PHQ-9 item 9, Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSS), Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), and Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R). Embed these in your suicide prevention survey template with example questions and cut-off guidelines. Offer a free survey toolkit with all standardized scales and scoring directions.

How can I incorporate questions about protective factors in a suicide survey?

Include items on social support, coping skills, future orientation, treatment engagement, spiritual beliefs, and self-efficacy. Phrase example questions like: "Who can you rely on during a crisis?" Use a suicide prevention survey template with clear Likert scales, balanced scoring, and optional free survey sections highlighting resilience for balanced risk assessment.