Sheehan – Suicidality Tracking Scale (S-STS)
About the S-STS
Adult Versions of the S-STS
Child / Adolescent Versions of the S-STS
License Agreement for Use of the S-STS
Related Documents
Training for the S-STS
Translations and Linguistic Validation of the S-STS
How to Cite the S-STS
About the S-STS
Be confident that you are using the Sheehan – Suicidality Tracking Scale (S-STS) correctly. Purchase directly from the author and Copyright Holder, Dr. David V Sheehan. Look for the QR code linking to HarmResearch.org to make sure you are using the S-STS directly from the Copyright Holder and to get training or consultation or more information.
The Sheehan – Suicidality Tracking Scale (S-STS) is a short scale designed to assess and monitor over time the core phenomena of suicidality. The same version can be used either as a clinician-rated scale or as a patient-rated scale, or both together at the same visit. The standard version was designed for use in clinical research studies as a safety assessment measure, to detect treatment emergent suicidality, and as a treatment outcome measure that is very sensitive to change. The S-STS is available in 3 age-related, linguistically validated pediatric versions (for 6 to 8 year olds, for 9 to 12 year olds, and for 13 to 17 year olds). The more expanded S-STS Clinically Meaningful Change Measure version (S-STS CMCM) addresses the needs of those who want to do a more comprehensive suicidality assessment clinically or who want a more comprehensive primary outcome measure when investigating the anti-suicidality treatment effects of medications. The S-STS CMCM is available in both adult and adolescent versions (see below).
Has the S-STS been validated?
The standard version of the S-STS has been validated in 2 studies against other standardized suicide rating scales (see Sheehan et al. 2014 and Youngstrom et al. 2015 in How to Cite the S-STS below). The validation and reliability statistics have been presented at scientific meetings and have been published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
The Clinically Meaningful Change Measure (CMCM) version of the S-STS is currently being validated in a study against another standardized suicide ideation and behavior rating scale called the Suicidal Ideation and Behavior Assessment Tool (SIBAT), which has comparable modules. The validation and reliability results are expected in the 3rd quarter of 2017 and will be presented at scientific meetings and will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
For any scientific questions relating to the S-STS, contact David V Sheehan MD MBA directly by email at: davidVsheehan@gmail.com
Adult Versions of the S-STS
The standard version of the S-STS has 14 core questions and 9 additional questions contingent on the responses to the core 14. The S-STS is laid out for ease of navigation on 3 pages. Page 1 contains 14 core suicidality phenomena and can be used as a stand-alone page in clinical settings. It is designed for use in clinical research studies and in clinical settings.
To view a watermarked, preview copy of the standard S-STS (click here)
To purchase and download a watermarked, preview copy of the standard S-STS (click here)
The Clinically Meaningful Change Measure (CMCM) version of the S-STS has 45 risk / protective factors and 20 questions on suicidal compounding features in addition to the standard S-STS. It is designed for use as a primary outcome measure in clinical research studies investigating the efficacy of anti-suicidality medications. It can also be used for training on how to do a comprehensive suicidality assessment and for comprehensive suicidality assessments in clinical, forensic, and medico-legal settings.
The S-STS CMCM was developed with extensive patient input over several years. This is an ongoing process. Dr. Sheehan tries to ensure that all of his scales are patient-centric.
To purchase and download a watermarked, preview copy of the S-STS CMCM (click here)
Customizable
Dr. Sheehan can design customized versions of the S-STS or the S-STS CMCM to meet the needs of a specific study or clinical setting. Contact Dr. Sheehan at davidVsheehan@gmail.com to discuss a customized version designed for your needs.
Child / Adolescent Versions of the S-STS
About the Child / Adolescent S-STS
The standard S-STS is available in 3 age-related, linguistically validated pediatric versions: one for 6 to 8 year olds, one for 9 to 12 year olds, and one for 13 to 17 year olds (see below). The S-STS CMCM is available in an adolescent version (see below).
Have the Child / Adolescent S-STS versions been validated?
The child / adolescent versions of the S-STS have not yet been psychometrically validated in a study against another standardized suicide ideation and behavior scale, because there is no other validated pediatric suicidality tracking scale against which to validate it, nor are there any self-rated pediatric versions of a suicidality scale. The child /adolescent S-STS has been linguistically validated against the adult S-STS and the results of this validation and the methodology used have been published in a peer-reviewed journal (see Amado, Beamon, & Sheehan 2014 in How to Cite the S-STS below).
The adult CMCM version of the S-STS is currently being validated in a study against another standardized suicide ideation and behavior rating scale called the SIBAT, which has comparable modules. The validation and reliability results are expected in the 3rd quarter of 2017 and will be presented at scientific meetings and will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. The Adolescent S-STS CMCM has not yet been psychometrically validated in a study against another standardized suicide ideation and behavior scale, because there is no other validated adolescent suicidality tracking scale against which to validate it, nor are there any self-rated adolescent versions of a suicidality scale.
For any scientific questions relating to the Child / Adolescent Versions of the S-STS, contact David V Sheehan MD MBA directly by email at: davidvsheehan@gmail.com
Child / Adolescent Versions of the S-STS
There are 3 Child / Adolescent versions of the S-STS. One is for 6- to 8-year-olds, a second is for 9- to 12-year-olds, and the third is for 13- to 17-year-olds. The child / adolescent versions of the S-STS are similar structurally to the standard adult version of the S-STS. Each of the 3 child / adolescent S-STS versions have 14 core questions and 9 additional questions contingent on the responses to the core 14. The child / adolescent S-STS versions are laid out for ease of navigation on 3 pages. Page 1 contains 14 core suicidality phenomena and can be used as a stand-alone page in clinical settings. It is designed for use in clinical research studies and in clinical settings.
To purchase and download a watermarked, preview copy of the 3 child / adolescent S-STS (click here)
The Adolescent Sheehan – Suicidality Tracking Scale Clinically Meaningful Change Measure (S-STS CMCM) version for 13- to 17-year-olds has 44 risk / protective factors and 20 questions on suicidal compounding features in addition to the standard S-STS. It is designed for use as a primary outcome measure in clinical research studies investigating the efficacy of anti-suicidality medications in adolescents aged 13-17 years. It can also be used for training on how to do a comprehensive suicidality assessment and for comprehensive suicidality assessments of adolescents in clinical, forensic, and medico-legal settings.
The S-STS CMCM was developed with extensive patient input over several years. This is an ongoing process. Dr. Sheehan tries to ensure that all of his scales are patient-centric.
To purchase and download a watermarked, preview copy of the Adolescent S-STS CMCM (click here)
Customizable
Dr. Sheehan can design customized versions of the S-STS or the S-STS CMCM to meet the needs of a specific study or clinical setting. Contact Dr. Sheehan at davidVsheehan@gmail.com to discuss a customized version designed for your needs.
License Agreement for Use of the S-STS
Dr. Sheehan licenses the S-STS or the S-STS CMCM in paper format for distribution as follows : 1) in paper format for any uses; or 2) in fixed pdf form, paper form, or both for use in clinical or academic research trials or studies.
License Agreement for the Use of the Adult Standard or Child / Adolescent S-STS or for the Adult or Adolescent S-STS CMCM
To license the Standard S-STS (Adult or Pediatric) or the S-STS CMCM (Adult or Adolescent) for use there is a charge of $4 per single administration (not per patient enrolled) for non-customized versions. The amount must be paid in full before study initiation. (click here to download a copy of this license agreement)
Related Documents
Sheehan & Giddens Mapping Tables Scoring Forms (click here)
Training for the S-STS
For information about virtual web-based training on the standard S-STS, pediatric versions of the S-STS, and the S-STS CMCM – which include a video, a quiz, and a certificate of completion of training – email training@harmresearch.org:
Adult S-STS
Adult Standard S-STS Training
Adult Standard S-STS Interview Training, Case 1
Adult Standard S-STS Interview Training, Case 2
Adult S-STS CMCM Training
Adult S-STS CMCM Interview Training, Case 1
Adult S-STS CMCM Interview Training, Case 2
Pediatric S-STS
Pediatric Standard S-STS Training
For certain sites, Dr. Sheehan can do an additional live Zoom question and answer session to address issues encountered after the raters at the site have done a dozen or so with real patients. Please contact: davidVsheehan@gmail.com
Training video subtitles are available in multiple languages on request. Contact training@harmresearch.org for more information.
Translations and Linguistic Validation of the S-STS
The non-profit Mapi Research Trust (MAPI) / ICON Language Services, in Lyon, France, is the sole translation service for existing non-English translations for all rating scales and diagnostic interviews that Dr. Sheehan licenses and distributes directly under a license from him.
Dr. Sheehan has collaborated closely with MAPI on these translations for over 15 years and continues to do so. This is to ensure the production of consistent and conceptually equivalent translations of the MINI and its variants and of Dr. Sheehan’s scales, and to be able to provide linguistic validation and certification of these translations. MAPI / Icon Language Services does not distribute the English source language version of the S-STS or the S-STS CMCM, which is available from Dr. Sheehan directly.
When Dr. Sheehan fully executes your license agreement request, he will provide you with the information to contact MAPI / Icon Language Services to obtain consistent and conceptually equivalent, and linguistically validated translations and the related certificates.
MAPI / Icon Language Services may charge its own usual fees for this work.
How to Cite the S-STS
Use the following citations in referencing the Adult Standard S-STS:
1. Sheehan, D. V., Alphs, L. D., Mao, L., Li, Q., May, R. S., Bruer, E. H., McCullumsmith, C.B., Gray, C.R., Li, X. and Williamson, D. J. (2014). Comparative validation of the S-STS, the ISST-Plus, and the C–SSRS for assessing the suicidal thinking and behavior FDA 2012 suicidality categories. Innovations in clinical neuroscience, 11(9-10), 32. PDF: http://innovationscns.epubxp.com/i/425963/32
2. Youngstrom, E.A., Hameed, A., Mitchell, M.A., Van Meter, A.R., Freeman, A.J., Algorta, G.P., White, A.M., Clayton, P.J., Gelenberg, A.J. and Meyer, R.E. (2015). Direct comparison of the psychometric properties of multiple interview and patient-rated assessments of suicidal ideation and behavior in an adult psychiatric inpatient sample. The Journal of clinical psychiatry, 76(12), 1676-1682. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/4088/JCP.14m09353
3. Sheehan DV, Giddens JM. (2015). Suicidality: A Roadmap for Assessment and Treatment. (1st ed.). Tampa, FL: Harm Research Press. Nov. 2015 (Available from: http://HarmResearch.org) ISBN: 978-0-9969729-0-1
4. Sheehan DV, Giddens JM. (2016). Suicidality Assessment and Documentation for Healthcare Providers: A Brief, Practical Guide. (1st ed.). Tampa, FL: Harm Research Press. April 2016. (Available from: http://HarmResearch.org) ISBN: 978-0-9969729-1-8
Use the following citations in referencing the Adult S-STS CMCM:
1. Sheehan DV, Giddens JM, Sheehan IS. Status Update on the Sheehan Suicidality Tracking Scale (S-STS) 2014. Innov Clin Neurosci. 2014;11(9–10):93–140. PDF: http://innovationscns.epubxp.com/i/425963/93
2. Sheehan, D. V., Alphs, L. D., Mao, L., Li, Q., May, R. S., Bruer, E. H., McCullumsmith, C.B., Gray, C.R., Li, X. and Williamson, D. J. (2014). Comparative validation of the S-STS, the ISST-Plus, and the C–SSRS for assessing the suicidal thinking and behavior FDA 2012 suicidality categories. Innovations in clinical neuroscience, 11(9-10), 32. PDF: http://innovationscns.epubxp.com/i/425963/32
3. Sheehan DV, Giddens JM. (2015). Suicidality: A Roadmap for Assessment and Treatment. (1st ed.). Tampa, FL: Harm Research Press. Nov. 2015 (Available from: http://HarmResearch.org) ISBN: 978-0-9969729-0-1
4. Sheehan DV, Giddens JM. (2016). Suicidality Assessment and Documentation for Healthcare Providers: A Brief, Practical Guide. (1st ed.). Tampa, FL: Harm Research Press. April 2016. (Available from: http://HarmResearch.org) ISBN: 978-0-9969729-1-8
Use the following citations in referencing the 3 Child / Adolescent S-STS:
1. Amado DM, Beamon DA, Sheehan DV. The linguistic validation of the Pediatric versions of the Sheehan-Suicidality Tracking Scale (S-STS). Innov Clin Neurosci 2014;11(9–10):141–163. PDF: http://innovationscns.epubxp.com/i/425963/140
2. Sheehan DV, Giddens JM. (2015). Suicidality: A Roadmap for Assessment and Treatment. (1st ed.). Tampa, FL: Harm Research Press. Nov. 2015 (Available from: http://HarmResearch.org) ISBN: 978-0-9969729-0-1
3. Sheehan DV, Giddens JM. (2016). Suicidality Assessment and Documentation for Healthcare Providers: A Brief, Practical Guide. (1st ed.). Tampa, FL: Harm Research Press. April 2016. (Available from: http://HarmResearch.org) ISBN: 978-0-9969729-1-8
Use the following citations in referencing the Adolescent S-STS CMCM:
1. Amado DM, Beamon DA, Sheehan DV. The linguistic validation of the Pediatric versions of the Sheehan-Suicidality Tracking Scale (S-STS). Innov Clin Neurosci 2014;11(9–10):141–163. PDF: http://innovationscns.epubxp.com/i/425963/140
2. Sheehan DV, Giddens JM. (2015). Suicidality: A Roadmap for Assessment and Treatment. (1st ed.). Tampa, FL: Harm Research Press. Nov. 2015 (Available from: http://HarmResearch.org) ISBN: 978-0-9969729-0-1
3. Sheehan DV, Giddens JM. (2016). Suicidality Assessment and Documentation for Healthcare Providers: A Brief, Practical Guide. (1st ed.). Tampa, FL: Harm Research Press. April 2016. (Available from: http://HarmResearch.org) ISBN: 978-0-9969729-1-8