Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ)

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Program Type

Screening Program

Cost

No Cost

Evidence Type

Empirically-Defined Evidence

SPRC Comprehensive Approach

Identify and Assist

selected What is this?
Program or Intervention Summary

The Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) tool is a brief validated tool for use among both youth and adults. The Joint Commission approves the use of the ASQ for all ages. Additional materials to help with suicide risk screening implementation are available in The Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) Toolkit, a free resource for use in medical settings (emergency department, inpatient medical/surgical units, outpatient clinics/primary care) that can help providers successfully identify individuals at risk for suicide

The Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) toolkit is designed to screen medical patients ages 8 years and above for risk of suicide. As there are no tools validated for use in kids under the age of 8 years, if suicide risk is suspected in younger children a full mental health evaluation is recommended instead of screening. The ASQ is free of charge and available in multiple languages.

Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) Toolkit. National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved August 31 2026 from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/research/research-conducted-at-nimh/asq-toolkit-materials

Selected References

Aguinaldo, L. D., Sullivant, S., Lanzillo, E. C., Ross, A., He, J. P., Bradley-Ewing, A., Bridge, J. A., Horowitz, L. M., & Wharff, E. A. (2021). Validation of the ask suicide-screening questions (ASQ) with youth in outpatient specialty and primary care clinics. Gen Hosp Psychiatry, 68, 52-58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2020.11.006

DeVylder, J. E., Ryan, T. C., Cwik, M., Wilson, M. E., Jay, S., Nestadt, P. S., Goldstein, M., & Wilcox, H. C. (2019). Assessment of Selective and Universal Screening for Suicide Risk in a Pediatric Emergency Department. JAMA Netw Open, 2(10), e1914070. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.14070

Horowitz, L. M., Snyder, D. J., Boudreaux, E. D., He, J. P., Harrington, C. J., Cai, J., Claassen, C. A., Salhany, J. E., Dao, T., Chaves, J. F., Jobes, D. A., Merikangas, K. R., Bridge, J. A., & Pao, M. (2020). Validation of the Ask Suicide-Screening Questions for Adult Medical Inpatients: A Brief Tool for All Ages. Psychosomatics, 61(6), 713-722. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psym.2020.04.008

Type Screening Program
Setting In-person, Healthcare Facility
Audience Adolescents 12-17, Young Adults 18-25, Mature Adults 26-64, Older Adults 65+
Languages English
Study Method Quantitative Design
Study Type Descriptive (cross-sectional), Other quantitative design
Implementer Requirement Medical Providers
Training Requirement No
Delivery Options In-Person
Risk and Protective Factors Previous suicide attempt

Is there a broken link on this page? Let us know!