Protocol - Suicidal Intent of Suicide Attempts

SUICIDE INTENT SCALE

(For Attempters)

Instructions: Interview the patient about his/her most recent suicide attempt to enable a reliable coding of the objective circumstances of the attempt, and the patient’s perceptions of the attempt. The total score is computed by summing items 1-15. If an item is "Not applicable" code it "-8." Do not include"-8’s" when calculating the total score.

I. Objective Circumstances Related to Suicide Attempt

1. Isolation

0[ ]Somebody present

1[ ]Somebody nearby, or in visual or vocal contact

2[ ]No one nearby or in visual or vocal contact

2. Timing

0[ ]Intervention is probable

1[ ]Intervention is not likely

2[ ]Intervention in highly unlikely

3. Precautions against Discovery/Intervention

0[ ]No precautions

1[ ]Passive precautions (avoiding others but doing nothing to prevent intervention; alone in room with unlocked door)

2[ ]Active precautions (locked door)

4. Acting to Get Help During/After Attempt

0[ ]Notified potential helper regarding attempt

1[ ]Contacted but did not specifically notify potential helper regarding attempt

2[ ]Did not contact or notify potential helper

5. Final Acts in Anticipation of Death (e.g., will, gifts, insurance)

0[ ]None

1[ ]Thought about or made some arrangements

2[ ]Made definite plans or completed arrangements

6. Active Preparation for Attempt

0[ ]None

1[ ]Minimal to moderate

2[ ]Extensive

7. Suicide Note

0[ ]Absence of note

1[ ]Note written, but torn up; note thought about

2[ ]Presence of note

8. Overt Communication of Intent Before the Attempt

0[ ]None

1[ ]Equivocal communication

2[ ]Unequivocal communication

II. Self-Report

9. Alleged Purpose of Attempt

0[ ]To manipulate environment, get attention, revenge

1[ ]Components of "0" and "2"

2[ ]To escape, surcease, solve problems

10. Expectations of Fatality

0[ ]Thought that death was unlikely

1[ ]Thought that death was possible but not probable

2[ ]Thought that death was probable or certain

11. Conception of Method’s Lethality

0[ ]Did less to self than he thought would be lethal

1[ ]Wasn’t sure if what he did would be lethal

2[ ]Equaled or exceeded what he thought would be lethal

12. Seriousness of Attempt

0[ ]Did not seriously attempt to end life

1[ ]Uncertain about seriousness to end life

2[ ]Seriously attempted to end life

13. Attitude Toward Living/Dying

0[ ]Did not want to die

1[ ]Components of "0" and "2"

2[ ]Wanted to die

14. Conception of Medical Rescuability

0[ ]Thought that death would be unlikely if he received medical attention

1[ ]Was uncertain whether death could be averted by medical attention

2[ ]Was certain of death even if he received medical attention

15. Degree of Premeditation

0[ ]None; Impulsive

1[ ]Suicide contemplated for three hours or less prior to attempt

2[ ]Suicide contemplated for more than three hours prior to attempt

III. Other Aspects (Not Included in Total Score)

16. Reaction to Attempt

0[ ]Sorry about attempt; feels foolish, ashamed (circle which one)

1[ ]Accepts both attempt and its failure

2[ ]Regrets failure of attempt

17. Visualization of Death

0[ ]Life-after-death, reunion with decedents

1[ ]Never ending sleep, darkness, end-of-things

2[ ]No conceptions of, or thoughts about death

18. Number of Previous Attempts

0[ ]None

1[ ]One or two

2[ ]Three or more

19. Relationship between Alcohol Intake and Attempt

0[ ]Some alcohol intake prior to but not related to attempt, reportedly not enough to impair judgment, reality testing

1[ ]Enough alcohol intake to impair judgment, reality testing and diminish responsibility/impulse control

2[ ]Intentional intake of alcohol in order to facilitate implementation of suicide attempt

20. Relationship between Drug Intake and Attempt (narcotics, hallucinogens, etc. drug is not the method used to suicide)

0[ ]Some drug intake prior to but not related to attempt, reportedly not enough to impair judgment, reality testing

1[ ]Enough drug intake to impair judgment, identity testing and diminish responsibility/impulse control

2[ ]Intentional drug intake in order to facilitate implementation of suicide attempt

Scoring:

Each of the 15 items is scored from 0 to 2 and added together to give a total score from 0 to 30.