I know I have to ask about suicide, but it doesn’t feel right.

When I first started it felt so unnatural and uncomfortable, like ticking a box; ‘by the way have you had thoughts of suicide lately?’

Ew.

I thought the problem was needing to ask.

The real problem was not knowing how to ask.

Simple solution: Acknowledge the thing and tie it in.

If their last reply doesn’t naturally connect to suicide, acknowledge and tie it in to what you’re there for (provide crisis support, fight mental health stigma, save the world, take your pick).

‘There’s a lot to live for, it seems you’ve come really far. Those dark feelings in the valley you mentioned earlier.. have they ever led to thoughts of suicide?’

Wherever they are: empowerment, humour, pride, whatever they share, you can always…

Acknowledge the thing and tie it in.