Why are we screening for suicide at Seattle Children’s?Suicide is currently the second leading cause of death for adolescents and young adults, and we have seen a steady increase in suicide and suicide attempts in our population of patients over the past several years. National safety guidelines recommend evidence-based screening of children and adolescents 10 years and older for suicide risk. Evidence shows that early detection of suicidal thoughts and responsive safety planning are critical to prevention efforts. Many times, youth may be thinking about suicide and may not show signs that caregivers or providers can notice. To know about these risk factors, research indicates we should directly ask youth about suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
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What happens during an ASQ screening?While you await your appointment, your child will be asked questions about suicide risk and safety. Questions may be asked on a paper form, tablet, or by a medical assistant. We respect your participation and involvement in your child’s care, and for the purposes of screening for suicide risk, research has found that providing children privacy is proven to be a more effective practice. |
What are the questions that will be asked during the ASQ screening?
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Is it safe to ask these questions?Asking questions about suicide is safe and is very important for suicide prevention. Research has shown that asking youth about thoughts of suicide is not harmful, and does not put thoughts or ideas of suicide into their heads. If we have concerns about your child’s safety after the screening, we will let you know. |
Is this screening required?We are committed to your child’s mental well-being. Although we strongly recommend the ASQ screening, it is not required. Suicide screening is important. A person may decline even though they are experiencing suicidal thoughts. If a parent or patient declines to complete the ASQ screening three times in a row, one of our care team members will contact you to better understand what, if any, supports may be useful. Youth who have intellectual disability or are otherwise unable to answer these questions can opt-out. Parents should indicate they are declining due to cognitive impairment. This will delay screening for 1 year. You can decline again in one year if you believe this screening is not appropriate for your child. |
What happens after the screening?Your child’s healthcare provider reviews responses and follows up with a mental health professional as appropriate. A referral will be given to a care team member in our Social Work department for further evaluation. A mental health professional will reach out to your child to provide resources as appropriate. Teens (ages 13 and older) have privacy rights for some health issues. To provide the best care and comply with state laws, we may ask to talk with your teen in private. If a teen chooses to keep information they disclose private from their parents, and it falls within the area of confidential services under state law, then we will keep it private. Safety concerns or any life-threatening information will be discussed with caregivers to develop a safety plan or next steps. |
Whom do I ask if I have more questions?Your child’s healthcare provider can answer your questions or direct you to someone who can. They may follow up with you by phone after your appointment. You may also send an email to [email protected] for questions about the Suicide Prevention Program and how we do screenings. This email address is not a resource for crisis support. |
Where can my child get support?If your child needs mental health support, use and share the following resources: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988. Washington’s Mental Health Referral Service for Children and Teens: TeenLink: Call 866-833-6546 Open 6 to 10 p.m., 7 days per week. Seattle Children’s Mental Health Resources: |
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To Learn More
Free Interpreter Services
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Learn more about suicide screening and access the toolkit on the National Institute of Mental Health website by scanning the QR code or going to this site: