Suicide Intent Scale

Objective Circumstances Related to Suicide Attempt
1. Isolation
1. Somebody present
2. Somebody nearby, or in visual or vocal contact
3. No one nearby or in visual or vocal contact

2. Timing
1. Intervention is probable
2. Intervention is not likely
3. Intervention is highly unlikely

3. Precautions against discovery/intervention
1. No precautions
2. Passive precautions (as avoiding other but doing nothing to prevent their intervention; alone in room with unlocked door)
3. Active precautions (as locked door)

4. Acting to get help during/after attempt
1. Notified potential helper regarding attempt
2. Contacted but did not specifically notify potential helper regarding attempt
3. Did not contact or notify potential helper

5. Final acts in anticipation of death (will, gifts, insurance)
1. None
2. Thought about or made some arrangements
3. Made definite plans or completed arrangements

6. Active preparation for attempt
1. None
2. Minimal to moderate
3. Extensive

7. Suicide Note
1. Absence of note
2. Note written, but torn up; note thought about
3. Presence of note

8. Overt communication of intent before the attempt
1. None
2. Equivocal communication
3. Unequivocal communication

Self Report
9. Alleged purpose of attempt
1. To manipulate environment, get attention, get revenge
2. Components of above and below
3. To escape, surcease, solve problems

10. Expectations of fatality
1. Thought that death was unlikely
2. Thought that death was possible but not probable
3. Thought that death was probable or certain

11. Conception of method's lethality
1. Did less to self than s/he thought would be lethal
2. Wasn't sure if what s/he did would be lethal
3. Equaled or exceeded what s/he thought would be lethal

12. Seriousness of attempt
1. Did no seriously attempt to end life
2. Uncertain about seriousness to end life
3. Seriously attempted to end life

13. Attitude toward living/dying
1. Did not want to die
2. Components of above and below
3. Wanted to die

14. Conception of medical rescuability
1. Thought that death would be unlikely if he received medical attention
2. Was uncertain whether death could be averted by medical attention
3. Was certain of death even if he received medical attention

15. Degree of premeditation
1. None; impulsive
2. Suicide contemplated for three hours of less prior to attempt
3. Suicide contemplated for more than three hours prior to attempt

Other Aspects (Not included in total score)
16. Reaction to attempt
1. Sorry it was made; feels foolish; ashamed
2. Accepts both attempt and failure
3. Regrets failure of attempt

17. Visualization of death
1. Life after death, reunion with descendants
2. Never-ending sleep, darkness, end of things
3. No conceptions of or thoughts about death

18. Number of previous attempts
1. None
2. One or two
3. Three or more

19. Relationship between alcohol intake and attempt
1. Some alcohol intake prior to but not related to attempt; reportedly not enough to impair judgment, reality testing
2. Enough alcohol intake to impair judgment; reality testing and diminish responsibility
3. Intentional intake of alcohol in order to facilitate implementation of attempt

20. Relationship between drug intake and attempt
1. Some drug intake prior to but not related to attempt; reportedly not enough to impair judgment, reality testing
2. Enough drug intake to impair judgment; reality testing and diminish responsibility
3. Intentional intake of drug in order to facilitate implementation of attempt


15-19 Low Intent
20-28 Medium Intent
29+ High Intent
There is also a greater risk of repeated attempts the higher the intent rating.

The Question of Intent in Suicide Attempts