Which item is NOT listed as an essential component of suicide screening?

• A. Ask about dietary restrictions
• B. Ask about current suicidal ideation
• C. Ask about protective factors
• D. Ask about past psychiatric hospitalizations

Answer: (A)

The focus of suicide screening is to identify risk and protective factors by asking about thoughts of self-harm, plans, and the supports available to the person. Asking about current suicidal ideation is essential because it directly reveals whether someone is thinking about suicide and how immediate the danger might be. Asking about protective factors matters because it highlights resources, reasons for living, and coping strategies that can be used to keep the person safe. Asking about past psychiatric hospitalizations is relevant because a history of mental illness or prior admissions can indicate elevated risk and helps guide treatment and safety planning. Dietary restrictions, on the other hand, have no direct bearing on suicide risk and don’t inform safety decisions, so they’re not part of the essential components of suicide screening.