PATHOS Self-Harm Screen

PATHOS: Self-Harm Repetition Risk Screen. Validated for use in Emergency Departments following an index self-harm event.

Acute Risk Assessment

Guidelines & Evidence

Clinical Details

Section 1

When to Use

Screening patients in Emergency Departments immediately following a self-harm episode

Identifying individuals at high risk for repeating self-harm within the next 6-12 months

Aiding clinical decision-making regarding the need for urgent psychiatric follow-up

Brief assessment of social isolation and psychiatric history as risk factors

Section 2

Formula & Logic

The PATHOS Mnemonic

P: Previous history of self-harm

A: Alcohol consumption during current episode

T: Thoughts of more serious self-harm

H: Help (lack of) available at the time

O: On meds or under psychiatric care

S: Social isolation (living alone)

Scoring Logic

One point awarded for each affirmative response. Total score ranges from 0 to 6.

Interpretation

0–2 points	Lower Risk
3–6 points	High Risk for Repetition (Sensitivity 75%, Specificity 64%)

Section 3

Evidence Appraisal

Validation

Short-term assessment of risk of self-harm repetition: validation of the PATHOS score.

Yates WR et al. • Emerg Med J.. 2004;Demonstrated the predictive utility of PATHOS in UK emergency department cohorts.

Last Comprehensive Review: 2026

Related Psychiatry Tools

PANSS

BPRS

Clinical Global Impression

Clinical Global Impression — Schizophrenia

Brief Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale

C-SSRS

Have feedback about this calculator?Let us know.

PATHOS Self-Harm Screen

PATHOS: Self-Harm Repetition Risk Screen. Validated for use in Emergency Departments following an index self-harm event.

Acute Risk Assessment

Guidelines & Evidence

Clinical Details

Section 1

When to Use

Screening patients in Emergency Departments immediately following a self-harm episode

Identifying individuals at high risk for repeating self-harm within the next 6-12 months

Aiding clinical decision-making regarding the need for urgent psychiatric follow-up

Brief assessment of social isolation and psychiatric history as risk factors

Section 2

Formula & Logic

The PATHOS Mnemonic

P: Previous history of self-harm

A: Alcohol consumption during current episode

T: Thoughts of more serious self-harm

H: Help (lack of) available at the time

O: On meds or under psychiatric care

S: Social isolation (living alone)

Scoring Logic

One point awarded for each affirmative response. Total score ranges from 0 to 6.

Interpretation

0–2 points	Lower Risk
3–6 points	High Risk for Repetition (Sensitivity 75%, Specificity 64%)

Section 3

Evidence Appraisal

Validation

Short-term assessment of risk of self-harm repetition: validation of the PATHOS score.

Yates WR et al. • Emerg Med J.. 2004;Demonstrated the predictive utility of PATHOS in UK emergency department cohorts.

Last Comprehensive Review: 2026

Related Psychiatry Tools

PANSS

BPRS

Clinical Global Impression

Clinical Global Impression — Schizophrenia

Brief Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale

C-SSRS

Have feedback about this calculator?Let us know.

PATHOS Self-Harm Screen

Previous History

Alcohol Use

Thoughts of Serious Harm

Help Lack

On Meds/Psych Care

Social Isolation

Clinical Details

When to Use

When to Use

Formula & Logic

The PATHOS Mnemonic

Scoring Logic

Interpretation

Evidence Appraisal

Validation

Short-term assessment of risk of self-harm repetition: validation of the PATHOS score.

Related Psychiatry Tools

PATHOS Self-Harm Screen

Previous History

Alcohol Use

Thoughts of Serious Harm

Help Lack

On Meds/Psych Care

Social Isolation

Clinical Details

When to Use

When to Use

Formula & Logic

The PATHOS Mnemonic

Scoring Logic

Interpretation

Evidence Appraisal

Validation

Short-term assessment of risk of self-harm repetition: validation of the PATHOS score.

Related Psychiatry Tools