Suicide Constellation

Aliases

• S-CON
• Suicide Constellation
• suicide constellation

Definition

S-CON is an actuarial constellation that groups signs associated with greater suicide risk. It does not replace immediate clinical assessment, but indicates when the issue needs high priority attention.

Interpretation

• Apply the S-CON threshold and interpretation only to examinees age 15 or older. Its usefulness has not been demonstrated for age 14 or younger, so do not treat a computed score as a positive or negative conclusion in that group.
• The result is positive when at least 8 of these 12 criteria are met: FV+VF+V+FD > 2, Color-Shading blends > 0, 3r+(2)/R < .31 or > .44, MOR > 3, Zd < -3.5 or > +3.5, es > EA, CF+C > FC, X+% < .70, S > 3, P < 3 or > 8, Pure H < 2, and R < 17.
• If S-CON reaches threshold, directly assess suicidal ideation, intent, plan, access to means, prior attempts, recent changes, and protective factors immediately.
• The constellation integrates signs of stress, self-criticism, emotional pain, and reduced control.
• Its weight increases when it appears with low D, low AdjD, SumV, SumY, MOR_self, and DEPI.
• It functions as a screening alert, not a final conclusion.

Cautions

• A high value does not by itself mean imminent suicidal action.
• A low value does not remove all risk.
• Because suicide has a low base rate, positive results can also be false positives; neither result replaces direct risk assessment.
• Short or highly defensive records can produce false negatives.

Cautions

• S-CON must be checked against interview data, recent history, and direct clinical judgment.
• The reader should return to the variables that compose the constellation.

Variables to Review Together

• D
• AdjD
• SumV
• SumY
• MOR_self

Cross References

• [Interpretation/Special Indices] Special Indices
• [Interpretation/Core] D
• [Interpretation/Core] AdjD
• [Interpretation/Core] SumV
• [Interpretation/Core] SumY
• [Interpretation/Self Perception] SumV
• [Interpretation/Self Perception] MOR
• [Interpretation/Special Indices] DEPI

Evidence Strength

• Evidence tier: supported-high-stakes
• Its association with suicide-related risk is relatively strong, but the low base rate of suicide permits false positives and a negative result cannot rule out risk.
• Regardless of the score, directly assess current ideation, intent, plan, access to means, prior attempts, recent changes, and protective factors, and prioritize appropriate safety action.