What qualifies as a suicide attempt?

A suicide attempt is defined as a self-injurious act where the individual has at least some intent to die. This means the person engages in behavior that they understand could lead to their death, reflecting a serious commitment to that action, regardless of the actual outcome or whether any physical harm occurs.

This understanding is crucial in risk assessment, as the presence of intent significantly elevates the severity of the individual's risk profile. In contrast, a self-injurious act without intent to die, while concerning, does not meet the criteria for a suicide attempt because it indicates a different level of distress or coping strategy that does not include a desire for death. Similarly, an act resulting in actual injury or harm does not inherently signify intent to die, as people can cause harm to themselves for various reasons that do not include suicidal intent. Lastly, a verbal expression of suicidal thoughts is an important indicator of risk but does not qualify as a suicide attempt unless it is accompanied by an actual act implying intent to die.