Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale (SIDAS)
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The Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale (SIDAS) is a 5-item self-report questionnaire that assesses the frequency, controllability, and impact of suicidal thoughts over the past 30 days. Unlike simple yes/no screeners, the SIDAS captures qualitative dimensions of suicidal ideation, helping clinicians assess severity, functional impact, and risk level.
Developed by Batterham, Fairweather-Schmidt, & Christensen in 2015, the SIDAS is brief, highly sensitive, and designed for clinical and research use in both youth and adults.
Recommended Frequency: At intake (if suicidal ideation is disclosed), during risk monitoring, and at regular intervals during active treatment
About the SIDAS
The SIDAS evaluates five attributes of suicidal ideation:
- Frequency of thoughts
- Controllability of thoughts
- Closeness to attempting suicide
- Distress caused by the thoughts
- Impact of thoughts on daily functioning
Each item is rated on a 0–10 scale, where higher scores indicate greater severity or impairment. Total scores range from 0 to 50.
Who is the SIDAS For?
The SIDAS is appropriate for individuals aged 12+ who:
- Have disclosed current or recent suicidal thoughts
- Are at risk of self-harm or suicide, even if they don’t meet diagnostic criteria for a mental illness
- Are engaged in care where suicide risk monitoring is part of the treatment protocol
- Need structured tracking of suicidal ideation over time (e.g., during medication changes or crisis stabilization)
It is also well-suited for youth, LGBTQ+ clients, trauma survivors, and others whose suicidality may fluctuate or be misunderstood by traditional risk checklists.
The Scale
Each of the five questions is scored from 0 to 10. Example items include:
“In the past month, how often have you had thoughts about suicide?”
“In the past month, how difficult have you found it to control these thoughts?”
“To what extent have these thoughts interfered with your ability to carry out day-to-day activities?”
Scoring the SIDAS
Total score = sum of all 5 items (range: 0–50). Higher scores indicate more frequent, distressing, and unmanageable suicidal thoughts.
| Score | Severity | Protocol |
|---|---|---|
| 0–20 | Low risk | Monitor and offer support |
| 21–40 | Moderate risk | Engage in safety planning, evaluate support and treatment need |
| 41–50 | High risk | Urgent clinical response recommended |
TIP FOR PRACTICE
Use SIDAS scores to support collaborative safety planning, not just risk triage. A score is an opening to ask:
“What’s making things harder to manage lately?”
“How can we help reduce the burden of these thoughts together?”
Tracking SIDAS scores over time can also show when clients regain a sense of control or hope.
The SIDAS in Practice
Use cases include:
- Crisis screening and risk monitoring
- Suicide risk tracking in adolescents, young adults, or clients in early treatment
- Identifying emerging risk even when clients appear high-functioning
- Evaluating change over time after initiating therapy, medication, or hospitalization
- Integrating into school-based, telehealth, or digital mental health settings
HiBoop can present SIDAS trends over time, enable flagged responses for urgent review, and auto-suggest risk protocols or follow-up steps when thresholds are met.
Copyright
The SIDAS was developed by Batterham, Fairweather-Schmidt, & Christensen (2015). It is in the public domain and freely available for clinical and research use.
References
- Batterham, P. J., Fairweather-Schmidt, A. K., & Christensen, H. (2015). A comparison of the suicidal ideation attributes scale (SIDAS) with other measures of suicidal ideation in a community sample. Psychological Assessment, 27(2), 455–462.
- National Centre for Mental Health Research, Policy and Ethics, Australian National University.
Disclaimer
The SIDAS is a clinical tool, not a crisis response or diagnostic instrument. Any expression of suicidal intent or significant distress should be followed by a clinical interview, safety planning, and support coordination as appropriate.
Permissions
It is in the public domain and freely available for clinical and research use. https://nceph.anu.edu.au/research/tools-resources/suicidal-ideation-attributes-scale-sidas
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to use in remote settings?
Yes—with real-time monitoring and clear escalation pathways in place, which HiBoop can support.
Can SIDAS results be shared with the client?
Yes. It’s often helpful to share and discuss the meaning behind specific responses to build insight and collaborative care.
What’s unique about SIDAS compared to PHQ-9 item 9?
SIDAS goes beyond presence—it explores frequency, control, distress, and functional impact, offering a much clearer risk profile.
Can it be used with teens?
Yes, it has been validated for use in individuals aged 12 and older.
Can SIDAS be used instead of a suicide risk checklist?
It’s more nuanced and useful for ongoing monitoring, but always pair it with clinical judgment, especially when risk is imminent.