The Suicidal Ideation Scale is a tool used to measure an individual’s thoughts and attitudes towards suicide. It is a self-report measure that consists of a number of items, each of which are rated on a point scale from “definitely not true” to “definitely true.” The scale was developed in order to assess an individual’s level of suicidality, as well as to predict future suicide attempts.
The scale has been found to be a reliable and valid measure of suicidality, and has been used in both clinical and research settings.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, it is important to seek professional help. If you are in the United States, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to speak with a trained crisis counselor, or call 911.
What Is The Suicidal Ideation Scale?
The Suicidal Ideation Scale (SIS) is a measure of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to suicide. It is used to assess the severity of suicidality and to track changes in suicidal ideation over time. While there are a number of scales in use, below we’ll talk about the most common.
Some of the different types include:
- The Nurses’ Global Assessment of Suicide Risk
- The Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation
- Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale
- Suicidal Affect–Behavior–Cognition Scale
The SIS often consists of 19, 21 or other amounts of items that are usually rated on a 4 or 5 point scale from 0 (not at all) to 4 (very much). The items cover a range of topics related to suicide, including thoughts about death or dying, making plans for suicide, and attempting suicide.
Generally, the total score on the SIS ranges from 76-84, with higher scores indicating more severe suicide ideation. Scores of 0-19 are considered low risk, 20-34 are moderate risk, and 35 or above are high risk.
The SIS can be used with adults or adolescents aged 13 years and older. It takes about 5-10 minutes to complete. The scale generally has good reliability and validity. Studies have shown that it is sensitive to changes in suicidal ideation over time and can discriminate between those who are at risk for suicide and those who are not.
If you are concerned that someone you know may be considering suicide, the SIS can be a helpful tool in assessing the severity of their thoughts and feelings. If you are worried about your own suicidal thoughts and feelings, the SIS can also be a useful way to track changes over time.
The Different Types Of Suicidal Ideation
There are different types of suicidal ideation, and the Suicide Ideation Scale can help to identify them. Some people experience brief periods of suicidal ideation, while others have more chronic thoughts about suicide.
Some people may have what is called passive suicidal ideation, which means that they think about death in general terms without specifically wanting to die themselves.
Others may have active suicidal ideation, where they actively think about ways to kill themselves and make plans to do so.
Still others may have what is called mixed suicidal ideation, which means that they have both passive and active thoughts about suicide.
Finally, there are those who have what is called suicidal intent, where they not only think about killing themselves but also take steps to do so.
The Benefits And Drawbacks Of The Suicidal Ideation Scale
The SIS can help clinicians to identify individuals at high risk for suicide, so that they can receive appropriate interventions and support. The SIS is also useful for research purposes, and can also help researchers to study the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to suicide.
But there are some limitations to consider when using this scale. First, the scale is self reported. This means people can lie on the test to appear less suicidal than they actually are.
Second, the SIS does not assess all aspects of suicidality. It only assesses suicidal ideation, not actual plans or attempts. Second, the SIS may not be sensitive enough to detect changes in suicidal ideation over time. This is especially a concern when using the SIS with populations who are at high risk for suicide (e.g., adolescents).
Despite these limitations, the SIS remains a valuable tool for assessing suicidality in research and clinical settings.
How To Get Help For Suicide And Addiction
If you are considering suicide, it is important to speak to someone about your mental health. Believe us, help is out there. There are many good drugs and therapies that can help people to be less depressed and lead happy lives. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. It gets better, and there is help.
As we mentioned above, if you are having thoughts of suicide and need to talk to someone, please call the suicide hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) . Another good option for long term treatment is to call us. ARIA can be reached at (844) 973-2611 if you want to talk about treatment for a mental health disorder or addiction.