What does the "P" in "SAD PERSONS" stand for regarding suicide assessment?

The "P" in "SAD PERSONS" stands for "Previous attempts." This framework is used in suicide assessments to help quickly identify risk factors associated with suicidal behavior. Recognizing whether an individual has a history of previous suicide attempts is vital as it is one of the strongest predictors of future suicidality. Individuals who have made prior attempts may have a greater risk for subsequent attempts, making it critical for clinicians to inquire about and record this information during assessments. It emphasizes the importance of past behavior in understanding and predicting future risks.

The other terms may relate to overall psychological health or situational stressors, but they do not specifically capture the importance of previous attempts in the same way that this established acronym does.