Suicidal Ideation
Suicidal Ideation is a range of thoughts, images, or preoccupations with self-inflicted death. This definition is viewed as a spectrum rather than a single state, distinguishing between passive ideation (a wish to die without a specific plan) and active ideation (thinking about specific methods, timing, or intent). Crucially, the ACA emphasizes that suicidal ideation is a clinical symptom requiring immediate assessment of risk, protective factors, and "warning signs" to ensure client safety through an ethically grounded treatment plan.
