What is a self-destructive action intended to end one's life called?

The term that refers to a self-destructive action intended to end one's life is known as a suicidal attempt. This term specifically denotes the act of engaging in behavior that is meant to cause death or serious injury with the intention of dying. This is crucial in identifying individuals who may be in immediate danger and in need of intervention, which is an essential aspect of mental health care and suicide prevention.

In contrast, suicidal ideation refers to the thoughts or planning related to self-harm or ending one’s life, but it does not involve the actual execution of those thoughts. A psychological autopsy is an investigative process used to understand the mental state of an individual posthumously, usually to determine the circumstances surrounding their death but does not denote any action taken by the individual themselves. A dissociative episode describes a mental state where a person feels disconnected from their thoughts or sense of identity, which is unrelated to actions intended to end their life. Understanding these distinctions is key in the field of mental health and music therapy, particularly when addressing the needs of clients experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors.