What constitutes an interrupted suicide attempt?

An interrupted suicide attempt is characterized by being prevented from completing the act due to an external force. This definition highlights that the individual had the intention to proceed with the suicide attempt, but some external factor, whether it be a person intervening, a circumstance that altered the situation, or an event that interrupted the attempt, prevented the action from being completed.

Understanding this concept is crucial for assessing risk, as it indicates that there was a step toward the act, reflecting a serious level of suicidal intent. It’s important in clinical settings to identify such incidents, as they may reveal underlying issues and the potential need for immediate intervention or support.

In contrast, the other options describe different scenarios that do not fit within the definition of an interrupted suicide attempt. Stopping oneself before acting on suicidal thoughts represents a moment of personal resilience, thoughts without action indicate ideation without intent to act, and harmless self-injuries do not reflect a suicidal intention but rather other psychological issues. Each of these alternatives points to different aspects of mental health crises but does not align with the specific definition of an interrupted attempt.