Most people have had the idea of suicide cross their minds at some point in their life. Suicide ideation is where a person thinks about suicide frequently, sometimes even planning out the specifics in their own mind. The person will most likely be depressed.
Risk factors that could mean that someone might actually carry out these plans include: past suicide attempts, verbal threats of suicide, and having a plan of how one is going to carry it out. Factors that might check this behavior might include: significant others, strong family, or friend's support, the ability to accept support, having a feeling of acceptance in their community, possessing good problem solving skills, having family commitments, having plans for the future, and many times religious, or spiritual beliefs, can make someone less likely to carry out their suicide plans. Therapists may have clients sign contracts that they won't act on the ideation of suicide, or self-injury.