Corrections Community

I am looking for definitions of a "suicide attempt". There seems to be a vast difference of opinion on the topic, so I thought I would ask, you, my colleagues, for your definition. Thanks in Advance. Gale Joslin, Ph.D.

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OK Gale you have me baffled. 

"vast difference of opinion on the topic" If you have people attempting to make the definition rocket science, it is not. It has been the same definition for longer than I have been teaching this training. It was the same when I wrote a paper on it 26 years ago.

Just role with it and don't let others make it harder than it needs to be. They are just board

Suicide - the act of taking ones’ life

Suicidal - one who threatens or attempts to harm or; exhibits behavior indication the potential for harming himself/herself.

Attempted Suicide - an act focused on taking one's life that is unsuccessful in causing death.

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If this question is attempting to distinguish between genuine attempts to imminently end one's life from self-injury not directed toward ending one's life, there is no clear demarcation in my mind. Inmates have attempted to time their hanging to occur when rounds are scheduled to occur, hoping they will be discovered and get the typical secondary gains, yet the timing is off and the outcome is death. Simple superficial cuts could get infected with MRSA, etc.

Troy, I wish I could be as certain as you about this definition. Having taught suicide risk assessment for several years to community mental health providers and hundreds of correctional mental health workers, I am not so sure it is so cut and dry. I think the point that is most important is understanding the person's intent. Was the act done with the intent to die, the desire to die? A simple wrist scratch could in some circumstances be called an attempt if the person has the intent, the desire, yet did not use a lethal method. Then there are those violent acts that could be lethal, but were not done with lethal intent. There have been lots of attempts to define suicidal behaviors. I also don't think it helps to suggest that people are "board" (I assume you meant bored). Robert Canning, Ph.D. Suicide Prevention Coordinator Chief, Clinical Practices Mental Health Program California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation Sacramento, CA

Sorry about the bored comment but I get frustrated when I hear questions like this one. I get the same questions in the class room and for some reason it seems to be more confusing than it needs to be. You first asked for a definition of the term "suicide attempt" and now that you have clarified your question with "I think the point that is most important is understanding the person's intent. While the definition will stay the same as previously stated "intent" is a whole other animal. jemphds straight forward observations below is why psychology is about 85% theory, the ins and outs of the brain are still that much unknown. I would add to the below observation people that are "cutters", where it appears that there is no "intent" to "attempted suicide" it could be fatal. I think we can continue to collect data and attempt to learn/understand, but I doubt we wiil ever realy be able to put a lable or solid definition on alot of things in this area.

• jemphd

 If this question is attempting to distinguish between genuine attempts to imminently end one's life from self-injury not directed toward ending one's life, there is no clear demarcation in my mind. Inmates have attempted to time their hanging to occur when rounds are scheduled to occur, hoping they will be discovered and get the typical secondary gains, yet the timing is off and the outcome is death. Simple superficial cuts could get infected with MRSA, etc.