wHAT IS PASSIVE AND ACTIVE SUICIDAL IDEATION?


We can think of suicidal ideation (SI) on a continuum that can shift over time. Depending on where you are at this moment in time, certain types of services are more or less appropriate. For those with active or more intense passive SI once a week telehealth services without access to crisis services are not enough. It’s very important to connect with the appropriate services. It’s also not uncommon for those who have experienced (complex) trauma to have had some form of long-term passive SI and it’s important to be able to talk with your provider about these experiences, free of stigma. Here are some ways to better understand the SI continuum.

Passive SI

  • Vague thoughts like “maybe I would be better off dead” but don’t dwell on them and have an active desire to live 

  • Fleeting thoughts (e.g. thoughts or wishes of wanting to die), transient, low intensity

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  • Not wanting to live but not wanting to die

  • Actively thinking about suicide, more frequent, but no intention or planning

Active SI 

  • Have made a plan but are not acting on it but have considered acting on it

  • Taking steps to end life (e.g. rehearsing and/or making plans for how and when to end your life) 

  • Not wanting to live and wanting to die

  • Prolonged, intense ideation