The SAD PERSONS for suicide risk assessment is a score calculated from ten yes/no questions, with one point for each affirmative answer:
- S: Male sex
- A: Age (<19 or >45 years) and acts in anticipation
- D: Depression and FHx mental illness
- P: Previous attempt or proximte suicide (in community)
- E: Excess alcohol or substance use
- R: Rational thinking loss
- S: Social supports lacking
- O: Organized plan and/or suicidal ideation
- N: No spouse
- S: Sickness
This score is then mapped onto a risk assessment scale as follows:
- 0–4: Low
- 5–6: Medium
- 7–10: High
Perhaps a better way of looking at it is that the following features are high risk SCRAP-ME
- Suicide note
- Careful planning
- Recent suicide of someone in patient’s circle
- Acts in anticipation ie writing a will
- Precautions to prevent discovery
- Method planned is effective ie hang/jump/shoot vs OD
- Emotional instability – no social anchors, drugs and alcohol
