How often or intensely do you have to contemplate suicide before you are suicidal?

Question

This is not a cry for help
-.-
But there seem to be degrees of suicidal...

Do you have to have a gun to your head?
or is thinking about buying a gun enough?

Apparently no one wants to think about even thinking about suicide...

Are suicide hotline operators the most suicidal...? doubtful.

Answer 1

You only have to seriously contemplate suicide once to be suicidal. Sure, every one goes through suicidal thoughts at some point in their life but they know that they really don't want to and aren't going to kill themselves. The minute you know you really want to you are suicidal.