Suicide risk screening uses brief questions to identify thoughts, feelings, behaviours, or warning signs that may require a fuller safety assessment.
A healthcare professional may ask direct questions or use a short structured tool about suicidal thoughts, feelings, behaviour, past attempts, and warning signs. Asking these questions is a screening step, not a complete assessment.
A positive answer does not by itself predict what a person will do. It means a more detailed safety assessment is needed to understand current risk, things that may help keep the person safe, and immediate needs.
The response depends on the assessed risk. It may include a safety plan, mental health follow-up, urgent evaluation, or hospital care. Screening and the full risk assessment are related but different steps.
If someone may act on suicidal thoughts now, urgent local emergency help is needed. Screening should not delay immediate safety care.

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