SUICIDE LETHALITY SCALE
| Risk Level | Details | Mental Health | Precipitating Event | Person's Disposition | Action |
|
Low |
-Person states she/he is feeling suicidal
-No suicide plan developed -Person not in immediate danger. (i.e. the means to carry out the plan are not present, intent is not immediate) |
- May or may not have received counseling in
the past.
-May or may not have received mental illness diagnoses/treatment.
|
-Recent crisis or string of crises. | -Primary need seems to be someone to talk to
who will listen.
-Person is open to and active in developing a positive plan of action. -Person has a basic support system available. |
-Explore primary issues.
-Discuss short and long term plans of actions. -Contract with person to fulfill positive plan of action. -Contract with person to reach out for help again if the suicidal feelings return. |
|
Medium |
-Person states she/he is feeling suicidal.
-They have a plan. -Means to carry out the plan are available but not readily accessible. -Means are available but not immediately lethal. -Intent is not immediate. |
-May have family history of suicide and/or
mental illness.
-May have chronic mental illness diagnosis. |
-Likely feels that negative life events have
been ongoing for years.
-May resist idea of "here and now."
|
-Person may seem uncertain about prospect of
future happiness/wellness.
-Person still willing to reach for help and develop a positive plan of action. |
-Explore primary issue.
-Discuss short and long term plans of action, including the possibility of mental health assessment. -Contract with person to fulfill a positive plan of action. -Contract with person to reach out for help again if the suicidal feelings return. |
|
High |
-Person states she/he is feeling suicidal.
-Plan developed -Intent is immediate or within near future. -Means are lethal and accessible. -Likely to have attempted before, and has probably felt suicidal for a long period of time. |
-Presence of chronic mental illness is likely,
whether or not it's been diagnosed.
-Likely has family history of mental illness/suicide. |
-Recent crisis likely in addition to ongoing crisis/distress. | -Person stated intent to die.
-Resistance to open communication/ alternatives. -Disillusioned with helping system, strong feelings of hopelessness and diminished fear in the face of death. -You believe the person will harm themselves. |
-If suicide
is in progress, call 9-1-1 to dispatch emergency services.
-Contract with person to seek immediate assistance from a mental health professional -- follow up to make sure this was done. -Contract with person to reach out for help again if suicidal feelings return. |