Suicidal Ideation Test

This brief measure is designed to support rapid screening of suicide-related thoughts and tendencies. Developed by Thomas E. Joiner, the Suicidal Ideation Test provides a structured snapshot of current risk-relevant patterns to help guide next-step clinical decision-making. It includes 19 items and typically takes about 4 minutes to complete.

If you are currently in danger or having thoughts of ending your life, please reach out for help right now. In the US, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7. If you are outside the US, contact your local emergency number or a crisis line in your country. You do not have to be in an active crisis to reach out — support is available for any level of distress.

Why This Screening Tool Is Used

Suicidal thoughts exist on a wide spectrum — from passive, fleeting thoughts about not wanting to exist, to active planning with intent. This range is exactly why a structured test for suicidal ideation matters clinically: it gives professionals a consistent, evidence-based way to gauge where on that spectrum someone currently sits, rather than relying on how directly a person is willing or able to describe what they're experiencing.

This instrument is grounded in Thomas Joiner's influential research on the psychology of suicide, which identified specific patterns — including a sense of being a burden to others and profound disconnection — as key markers of elevated risk. Understanding these patterns helps clinicians move quickly from a general sense of concern to a clearer picture of urgency and appropriate next steps.

This suicidal ideation test is used almost entirely by professionals — therapists, counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, and crisis or school staff — as part of a broader clinical assessment, not as a standalone tool for someone to self-diagnose in isolation. People sometimes search for this simply as a "suicidal test," but it's worth knowing upfront: no online test, however it's labeled, can replace a real conversation with a professional or crisis line. If you're taking this because you're worried about yourself, please also reach out to a real person — a crisis line, a therapist, a doctor, or someone you trust.

What the Assessment Measures

The instrument assesses the current level of risk for suicidal behavior based on reported thoughts, tendencies, and intentions, covering:

• Frequency and intensity of suicidal thoughts — how often thoughts of death or self-harm occur and how strong they currently feel
• Sense of burdensomeness and disconnection — feelings of being a burden to others or feeling fundamentally disconnected from meaningful relationships
• Planning and intent — whether thinking has moved from passive thoughts toward specific plans or preparatory steps
• Related risk and protective factors — other indicators that inform the overall clinical picture of current risk

Scores of 0–5 fall in the low range, 6–13 moderate, and 14–19 high. Elevated scores indicate the need for prompt follow-up and a safety-focused evaluation — never a reason to wait.

Who This Assessment Is For

This tool is intended for use by therapists and counselors during intake or check-ins, clinical psychologists and psychiatrists building a fuller clinical picture, and crisis or school staff conducting rapid triage when someone shows warning signs. It is designed as an adjunct to a broader clinical conversation — not a replacement for one, and not something meant to be used alone by someone in acute distress without also connecting with a real person for support.

Clinical Validity and Use in Practice

This instrument draws on Thomas E. Joiner's research, detailed in his influential work on the psychology of suicide, and is intended for use in clinical or counseling settings as an adjunct to interview-based risk assessment and triage. It is not a stand-alone diagnostic tool and should always be interpreted in context — considering presenting concerns, history, protective factors, and the need for immediate safety planning or referral. If there is any indication of imminent risk, emergency procedures should be initiated immediately rather than relying on this or any questionnaire for next steps.