The ICD-11 describes suicidal ideation as "thoughts, ideas, or ruminations about the possibility of ending one's life, ranging from thinking that one would be better off dead to formulation of elaborate plans".

The risk factors for suicidal ideation can be divided into three categories: psychiatric disorders, life events, and family history.

The disorders in which risk is increased the greatest include:[21] Antidepressant medications are commonly used to decrease the symptoms in patients with moderate to severe clinical depression, and some studies indicate a connection between suicidal thoughts and tendencies and taking antidepressants,[26] increasing the risk of suicidal thoughts in some patients.

[27] Some medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can have suicidal ideation as a side effect.

Furthermore, life events can also lead to or be comorbid with the previously listed psychiatric disorders and predict suicidal ideation through those means.

The life events that have been shown to increase risk most significantly are:[35] According to a study conducted by Ruth X. Liu of San Diego State University, a significant connection was found between the parent–child relationships of adolescents in early, middle and late adolescence and their likelihood of suicidal ideation.

[50] Liu goes on to explain the relationship found between closeness with the opposite sex parent and the child's risk of suicidal thoughts.

An article published in 2010 by Zappulla and Pace found that suicidal ideation in adolescent boys is exacerbated by detachment from the parents when depression is already present in the child.

[52][citation needed] If signs, symptoms, or risk factors are detected early then the individual might seek treatment and help before attempting to take their own life.

[citation needed] The previously mentioned studies point out the difficulty that mental health professionals have in motivating individuals to seek and continue treatment.

Ways to increase the number of individuals who seek treatment may include: A study conducted by researchers in Australia set out to determine a course of early detection for suicidal ideation in teens stating that "risks associated with suicidality require an immediate focus on diminishing self-harming cognitions so as to ensure safety before attending to the underlying etiology of the behavior".

Participants who scored "very high" on the Psychological Distress scale "were 77 times more likely to report suicidal ideation than those in the low category".

Hemelrijk et al. (2012) found evidence that assisting people with suicidal ideation via the internet versus more direct forms such as phone conversations has a greater effect.

[56] They use a Bayesian statistical investigation, in conjunction with the mindsponge theory,[57] to explore the processes where mental disorders have played a very minor role and conclude that there are many cases where the suicidal ideation represents a type of cost-benefit analysis for a life/death consideration, and these people may not be called "patients".

[58] Psychologists, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals conduct clinical interviews to ascertain the nature of a patient or client's difficulties, including any signs or symptoms of illness the person might exhibit.

Clinical interviews are "unstructured" in the sense that each clinician develops a particular approach to asking questions, without necessarily following a predefined format.

Structured (or semi-structured) interviews prescribe the questions, their order of presentation, "probes" (queries) if a patient's response is not clear or specific enough, and a method to rate the frequency and intensity of symptoms.

In psychotherapy a person explores the issues that make them feel suicidal and learns skills to help manage emotions more effectively.

These patients are then checked on routinely to assure they are maintaining their contract and avoiding dangerous activities (drinking alcohol, driving fast and not wearing a seat belt, etc.).

This has caused the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue a warning stating that sometimes the use of antidepressants may actually increase suicidal ideation.

[62] Medical studies have found antidepressants help treat cases of suicidal ideation and work especially well with psychological therapy.

[66] Electroconvulsive therapy Suicidal ideation rates among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) youth are significantly higher than among the general population.

[67] Suicidal ideation, which has a higher prevalence among LGBT teenagers compared to their cisgender and heterosexual peers, has been attributed to minority stress, bullying, and parental disapproval.