The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and 113 Suicide Prevention are proud to announce the launch of the Research Library for Suicide-Related Instruments and Items, a free online resource featuring over 140 instruments and 1,600 individual items designed to assess suicidality.
This new platform aims to support researchers worldwide by providing easy access to validated tools related to suicide prevention. Users can quickly search and filter the database to find instruments that best match their research needs.
IASP is committed to promoting high-quality scientific research in suicide prevention. A key challenge faced by researchers globally is the difficulty of identifying and accessing appropriate instruments, such as questionnaires and interview tools, to assess suicidality.
While many instruments exist, finding the most suitable and validated tool for a specific study can be time-consuming and complex. Even after selecting an instrument, researchers often spend considerable effort locating the correct version and detailed information. The Research Library has been developed to address these challenges by bringing together reliable, well-organised resources in one accessible location.
Over the past three years, researchers at 113 Suicide Prevention, the Dutch suicide prevention expertise centre and helpline, have systematically compiled and organised instruments used to assess suicidality. This work has resulted in a comprehensive database containing more than 140 instruments and 1,600 individual items covering suicidal thoughts, plans, attempts, and related constructs.
To make this valuable resource available to the global suicide prevention community, IASP partnered with 113 Suicide Prevention to support the dissemination and accessibility of the database. After extensive testing, both organisations are delighted to present the Research Library for Suicide-Related Instruments and Items: a free, user-friendly online tool designed to support suicide prevention researchers around the world.
“Through this Research Library, we seek to support researchers and improve the quality of suicide prevention research.” Laura Ruis, Researcher at 113 Suicide Prevention
Features, Search Options, and Filters
The Research Library currently includes over 140 instruments, such as self-report questionnaires, informant questionnaires, and clinical interviews. Some instruments are specifically designed to assess suicidality (e.g., SIDAS), while others assess related constructs but include at least one item on suicidality (e.g., BDI-II).
Users can easily switch between the instrument viewer and the item viewer to explore tools or individual questions. A range of filters allows researchers to search for:
- Instruments suitable for specific target populations (e.g., children and adolescents)
- Measures focusing on particular behaviours (e.g., suicide attempts)
- Tools covering defined timeframes (e.g., past two weeks, lifetime)
These features help researchers quickly identify the most appropriate instruments for their projects.
Help Us Continue to Improve
IASP and 113 Suicide Prevention are committed to keeping the Research Library accurate and up to date. The database will be reviewed and updated at least once a year to reflect the latest developments in the field.
If you experience any difficulties accessing the Research Library, please contact IASP. For questions, suggestions, or feedback regarding the content of the database, please reach out to the 113 research team.
Your input is invaluable in helping us continue to improve this important resource.
