Suicide safety All ages

Prompt follow-up after a concerning screening answer

After a positive suicide-risk item, you should have a prompt follow-up within about a week.

98% of the time this step is missed

Across de-identified U.S. psychiatric records, we found this step was missed about 98% of the time it should have happened.

This page is here to help you know what to ask about. It is not medical advice, and you should never start, stop, or change a medication on your own. Bring these questions to a doctor who knows you.

Questions to ask your doctor

Copy a line and ask it at your next visit. These are questions to start a conversation, not instructions to change your treatment.

Can we arrange a prompt follow-up after my recent screening?
When will we check in next?

This page is information, not medical advice. It describes care patterns across many people and can't speak to your own situation. Bring these questions to a clinician who knows you.

Build a checklist for your own care →