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Beck’s Suicide Intent Scale (1974)

The suicide intent scale was developed by Aaron T. Beck and his colleagues at the University of 

Pennsylvania for use with patients who attempt suicide but survive. It is important to understand

a patient's will to die in order to assess the severity of the suicide attempt. ome attempted

suicides are carried out with little to no intention of cessation of life! while others clearly have

no other goal. The suicide intent scale is an attempt to redefine the meaning of attempted

suicide! placing them on a scale based on intent.

Another factor that plays an important role! but is not listed on the scale below! includes the

chosen method of attempted death. "angings and firearms is clearly more effective tools of 

suicide! the damages much more difficult to reverse. uicide by  poisoning! on the other hand! is

less likely to be successful. This! however! is not the case in less developed nations! where

access to emergency  treatment is less possible and there is greater access to more deadly

 poisons such as pesticides. These factors must be also taken into consideration.

Objective Circumstances Related to Suicide Attempt  

#. Isolation #. omebody present

$. omebody nearby! or in visual or vocal contact

3. No one nearby or in visual or vocal contact

$. Timing

#. Intervention is probable

$. Intervention is not likely

%. Intervention is highly unlikely

%. Precautions against discovery&intervention

#. o precautions

$. Passive precautions (as avoiding other but doing nothing to prevent their

intervention) alone in room with unlocked door*

3. Active precautions (as locked door)

+. Acting to get help during&after attempt

#. otified potential helper regarding attempt

$. ,ontacted but did not specifically notify potential helper regarding attempt

%. Did not contact or notify potential helper 

-. inal acts in anticipation of death (will! gifts! insurance*

#. one

$. Thought about or made some arrangements

%. Made definite plans or completed arrangements 

/. Active preparation for attempt#.  one

$. 0inimal to moderate

%. !tensive 

1. uicide ote

#. Absence of note

$. ote written! but torn up) note thought about

%. "resence of note 

2. 3vert communication of intent before the attempt

#.  one

$. 45uivocal communication

%. #ne$uivocal communication 

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Beck’s Suicide Intent Scale (1974)

Self Report  

6. Alleged purpose of attempt

#. To manipulate environment! get attention! get revenge

$. ,omponents of above and below%. %o escape& surcease& solve problems 

#7. 48pectations of  fatality

#. Thought that death was unlikely

$. Thought that death was possible but not probable

%. %hought that death 'as probable or certain  

##. ,onception of method's lethality

#. 9id less to self than s&he thought would be lethal

$. :asn't sure if what s&he did would be lethal

%. $ualed or e!ceeded 'hat she thought 'ould be lethal 

#$. eriousness of attempt

#. 9id no seriously attempt to end life$. Uncertain about seriousness to end life

%. eriously attempted to end life 

#%. Attitude toward living&dying

#. 9id not want to die

$. ,omponents of above and below

%. *anted to die 

#+. ,onception of medical rescuability

#. Thought that death would be unlikely if he received medical attention

$. :as uncertain whether death could be averted by medical attention

%. *as certain of death even if he received medical attention  

#-. 9egree of premeditation

#. one) impulsive

$. uicide contemplated for three hours of less prior to attempt

%. uicide contemplated for more than three hours prior to attempt  

Other Aspects (Not included in total score) 

#/. ;eaction to attempt

#. orry it was made) feels foolish) ashamed$. Accepts both attempt and failure

%. +egrets failure of attempt 

#1. <isuali=ation of death

#. >ife after death! reunion with descendants

$. ever?ending sleep! darkness! end of things

%. No conceptions of or thoughts about death 

#2. umber of previous attempts

#. one

$. 3ne or two

%. %hree or more 

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Beck’s Suicide Intent Scale (1974)

#6. ;elationship between alcohol intake and attempt

#. ome alcohol intake prior to but not related to attempt) reportedly not enough to

impair @udgment! reality testing

$. 4nough alcohol intake to impair @udgment) reality testing and diminish

responsibility%. Intentional intake of alcohol in order to facilitate implementation of attempt

$7. ;elationship between drug intake and attempt

#. ome drug intake prior to but not related to attempt) reportedly not enough to

impair @udgment! reality testing

$. 4nough drug intake to impair @udgment) reality testing and diminish

responsibility

3. Intentional intake of drug in order to facilitate implementation of attempt

,-,/ 0o' Intent

121 Medium Intent

1/4 5igh Intent

%here is also a greater risk of repeated attempts the higher the intent rating.