If a client presents with many classic depressive symptoms, what should the social worker focus questions on?

• A. Substance use
• B. Suicidal plans or suicidal ideation
• C. Marital history
• D. Education level

Answer: (B)

When a client presents with many depressive symptoms, the most urgent issue to assess is safety regarding self-harm. Depression carries a real risk of suicide, so asking directly about suicidal thoughts, plans, and intent helps determine the level of danger and the type of intervention needed.

Direct, nonjudgmental questions like: Are you thinking about hurting yourself or ending your life? Do you have a plan? Do you have the means to carry it out? What is keeping you from acting on those thoughts? These help reveal whether there is current risk. If there’s active plan or intent, you’d implement immediate safety steps, arrange for urgent support, consider hospitalization if the risk is imminent, and develop a safety plan with the client.

Substance use, marital history, or education level are important context for functioning, but they do not address the immediate safety concern as directly as assessing suicidality. The focus on whether there are suicidal thoughts or plans is the critical first step in guiding next actions.