RevisePsych

After Self-Harm/Suicide Attempt

• Degree of isolation

- “Was anyone else with you at the time?”

 

• Timing of event

- “When did you do it?”

 

• Precautions against discovery

- “What did you do before your suicide attempt?”

 

• Acting to gain help

- “Did you tell anyone?”

 

• Final acts in anticipation of death

- “Did you do anything before it, say goodbye, make a will etc.?”

 

• Presence of note

- “Did you write a note?”

 

• Patient’s statement of lethality

- "Did you think it would end your life, what made you think that?”

 

• Degree of premeditation 

- “Is this something you planned, did you think about this before, did you look into this before.”

 

• Patient’s stated intent

- “What did you hope would happen, did you want to end your life?”

 

• Patients reaction to event

- “How do you feel about it now, would you do it again?”

 

• Past history of self-harm

• Past psychiatric history

• Current medication

• Social factors including drugs and alcohol