SAD PERSONS Scale (Suicide Risk)
Screens for suicide risk using 10 clinical factors. Mnemonic: Sex, Age, Depression, Previous attempts, Ethanol/drug use, Rational thinking loss, Social support lacking, Organised plan, No spouse/partner, Sickness.
Score interpretation
→ Outpatient management; safety plan; GP follow-up; crisis line numbers; involve family/support network; reassess if deteriorates
→ Close observation; consider short-term psychiatric admission; urgent psychiatry review; remove means; medication review; crisis team referral
→ Hospital admission; psychiatric emergency team; risk management plan; 1:1 nursing; consider Mental Health Act assessment; safeguarding if children in household
Interpretation bands for the SAD PERSONS Scale. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Palivizumab · RSV Prophylaxis — Monthly Monoclonal Antibody (High-Risk Infants)
- Ziprasidone · Atypical Antipsychotic — D2/5-HT2A Antagonist (Low Metabolic Risk)
- Atorvastatin (CKD Cardiovascular Risk) · Cardiovascular Risk in CKD
- Icosapent Ethyl (Omega-3 — Cardiovascular Risk Reduction) · Omega-3 Fatty Acid (Purified EPA — Eicosapentaenoic Acid Ethyl Ester)
- Acute Behavioural Disturbance / Rapid Tranquillisation · RCEM 2022; RCPsych 2022; NICE NG10
- Self-Harm Presentation · NICE NG225 (2022)
- Capacity Assessment (Mental Capacity Act) · MCA 2005; Code of Practice
- Acute Psychosis Management · NICE CG178 2014
- Depression Management · NICE CG90 2022
- Lithium Therapy Monitoring · NICE CG185
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.