Indirect questions for sensitive topics

Question 1

Are you currently experiencing any thoughts of self-harm?

[Can I ask…]

Answer 1

Can I ask if you’re currently experiencing any thoughts of self-harm?

Question 2

How have you been coping with stress lately?

[Do you mind me asking…]

Answer 2

Do you mind me asking how you’ve been coping with stress lately?

Question 3

Have you ever been diagnosed with a mental health condition?

[Could you tell me…]

Answer 3

Could you tell me if you’ve ever been diagnosed with a mental health condition?

Question 4

Do you have a good support system?

[Could you tell me…]

Answer 4

Could you tell me if you have a good support system?

Question 5

Do you feel safe at home?

[Would you mind sharing…]

Answer 5

Would you mind sharing if you feel safe at home?

Question 6

What are some challenges you’re facing at home?

[Would you feel okay sharing…]

Answer 6

Would you feel okay sharing some challenges you’re facing at home?

Question 7

Are you currently using any substances to cope, like alcohol or drugs?

[Can I ask…]

Answer 7

Can I ask if you are currently using any substances to cope, like alcohol or drugs?

Question 8

How would you describe your relationship with your family?

[Do you mind me asking…]

Answer 8

Do you mind me asking how you’d describe your relationship with your family?

Question 9

Have you experienced any form of abuse in your life?

[Could you tell me…]

Answer 9

Could you tell me if you’ve experienced any form of abuse in your life?

Question 10

What brings you joy or comfort these days?

[Would you mind sharing…]

Answer 10

Would you mind sharing what brings you joy or comfort these days?

Question 11

Are you struggling to sleep at night?

[Could you tell me…]

Answer 11

Could you tell me if you’re struggling to sleep at night?

Question 12

How do you manage feelings of sadness or anxiety?

[Can I ask…]

Answer 12

Can I ask how you manage feelings of sadness or anxiety?

Question 13

Are you currently in a romantic relationship?

[Do you mind me asking…]

Answer 13

Do you mind me asking if you are currently in a romantic relationship?

Question 14

What does a typical day look like for you?

[Could you tell me…]

Answer 14

Could you tell me what a typical day looks like for you?

Question 15

Are you satisfied with your current living situation?

[Would you mind sharing…]

Answer 15

Would you mind sharing if you’re satisfied with your current living situation?

Question 16

Have you had any recent changes in your mood or behavior?

[Could you tell me…]

Answer 16

Could you tell me if you’ve had any changes in your mood or behaviour?

Question 17

Have you ever felt discriminated against?

[Could you tell me…]

Answer 17

Could you tell me if you’ve ever felt discriminated against?

Question 18

How do you feel about your current job or school situation?

[Would you mind sharing…]

Answer 18

Would you mind sharing how you feel about
your current job or school situation?

Question 19

Are you responsible for caring for someone else?

[Can I ask…]

Answer 19

Can I ask if you are responsible for caring for someone else?

Question 20

What are your biggest worries right now?

[Would you feel okay sharing…]

Answer 20

Would you feel okay sharing what your biggest worries are right now?

Question 20

Do you feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities?

[Could you tell me…]

Answer 20

Could you tell me if you feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities?

Question 21

How do you handle conflict in your relationships?

[Would you mind sharing…]

Answer 21

Would you mind sharing how you handle conflict in your relationships?

Question 22

Are you currently unemployed?

[Do you mind me asking…]

Answer 22

Do you mind me asking if you’re currently unemployed?

Question 23

Can you share more about your physical health?

[Would you feel okay sharing…]

Answer 23

Would you feel okay sharing more about your physical health?

Question 24

Are you in debt or experiencing financial difficulties? | [Can I ask...]

Answer 24

Can I ask if you're in debt or experiencing financial difficulties?

Question 25

What are your goals for the near future? | [Would you mind sharing...]

Answer 25

Would you mind sharing what your goals are for the near future?

Question 26

Have you lost someone close to you recently? | [Could you tell me...]

Answer 26

Could you tell me if you've lost someone close to you recently?

Question 27

How do you feel about your body and self-image?

Answer 27

Do you mind me asking how you feel about your body and self-image?

Question 28

Are you experiencing any chronic pain or illness? | [Would you feel okay sharing...]

Answer 28

Would you feel okay sharing if you're experiencing any chronic pain or illness?

Question 29

What kind of support do you wish you had? | [Can I ask...]

Answer 29

Can I ask what kind of support you wish you had?

Question 30

Have you ever had an eating disorder? | [Would you mind sharing...]

Answer 30

Would you mind sharing if you've ever had an eating disorder?

Question 31

How have past experiences affected your current situation? | [Could you tell me...]

Answer 31

Could you tell me how past experiences have affected your current situation?

Question 32

Are you currently taking any medication for your mental health? | [Do you mind me asking...]

Answer 32

Do you mind me asking if you're currently taking any medication for your mental health?

Question 33

Can you tell me about a time you felt unsafe? | [Would you feel okay sharing...]

Answer 33

Would you feel okay sharing about a time you felt unsafe?

Question 34

Do you feel isolated or lonely? | [Could you tell me...]

Answer 34

Could you tell me if you feel isolated or lonely?

Question 35

What helps you feel calm or relaxed? | [Would you mind sharing...]

Answer 35

Would you mind sharing what helps you feel calm or relaxed?

Question 36

Have you ever been hospitalized for mental health reasons? | [Can I ask...]

Answer 36

Can I ask if you've ever been hospitalized for mental health reasons?

Question 37

How do you deal with feelings of anger or frustration? | [Do you mind me asking...]

Answer 37

Do you mind me asking how you deal with feelings of anger or frustration?

Question 38

Are you afraid of anyone in your life? | [Could you tell me...]

Answer 38

Could you tell me if you're afraid of anyone in your life?

Question 39

What does trust mean to you? | [Would you feel okay sharing...]

Answer 39

Would you feel okay sharing what trust means to you?

Question 40

Do you struggle with anger or controlling your temper? | [Would you mind sharing...]

Answer 40

Would you mind sharing if you struggle with anger or controlling your temper?

Question 41

How do you feel about your financial situation? | [Can I ask...]

Answer 41

Can I ask how you feel about your financial situation?

Question 42

Have you ever been involved with the criminal justice system? | [Do you mind me asking...]

Answer 42

Do you mind me asking if you've ever been involved with the criminal justice system?

Question 43

What worries you most about your health? | [Could you tell me...]

Answer 43

Could you tell me what worries you most about your health?

Question 44

Are you currently pregnant? | [Can I ask...]

Answer 44

Can I ask if you're currently pregnant?

Question 45

How do you feel about the people you live with? | [Would you feel okay sharing...]

Answer 45

Would you feel okay sharing how you feel about the people you live with?

Question 46

Do you sometimes have thoughts about ending your life? | [Would you mind sharing...]

Answer 46

Would you mind sharing if you have thoughts about ending your life?

Question 47

What are your experiences with loss or grief? | [Do you mind me asking...]

Answer 47

Do you mind me asking about your experiences with loss or grief?

Question 48

Are you finding it hard to trust people? | [Could you tell me...]

Answer 48

Could you tell me if you are finding it hard to trust people?

Question 49

How do you see your future right now? | [Would you feel okay sharing...]

Answer 49

Would you feel okay sharing how you see your future right now?