Passive Suicidal Ideation
Suicidal thoughts that lack a specific plan or intent to act, typically involving wishes to be dead or not exist without active self-harm planning.
Full Definition
Passive suicidal ideation (PSI) refers to a patient's expressed desire to die or not exist without an accompanying intent, plan, or preparatory behaviour toward self-harm. It is distinguished from active suicidal ideation in clinical risk assessments and must be documented precisely in mental status examinations and safety plans. Editors must not conflate 'passive' with 'low risk,' as clinical literature recognises PSI can escalate. The distinction between passive and active ideation appears consistently in risk stratification documents, crisis notes, and insurance authorisation forms, making accurate reproduction of the exact descriptor critical.
Usage
Usage note: Always pair with a qualifier (e.g., 'with no plan or intent') in clinical documentation. Editors should flag any instance where 'passive' is used interchangeably with 'low-risk.'
In Context
- "The clinician documented passive suicidal ideation with no plan, no intent, and no access to means." — Mental Status Examination
- "Risk level was assessed as low given the presence of passive suicidal ideation only; however, a safety plan was collaboratively developed." — Clinical Progress Note