Evaluate for suicide ideation
Patients should be evaluated for suicide ideation. This refers to having suicidal thoughts. Asking questions about ideation gives the patient permission to talk about suicide and creates a safe environment in which he or she can talk about it. Sample questions include:

•  Have you ever thought about killing yourself?

•  Have you ever thought that life was not worth living and that you would be better off dead?

•  Sometimes people who feel depressed have thoughts about killing themselves, have you ever had these thoughts?