Suicide and community psychiatric care--a preliminary report.
A preliminary survey of 34 suicides among patients attending community services for the chronically mentally ill revealed a rate of 520 per 100,000 admitted. In contrast to earlier hospital surveys, no risk variables were identified for patients dying by suicide. Thirty-four percent of suicides occurred within one week of the last treatment and 59% within 3 months of service entry. It appears that early and intensive follow-up may be necessary to prevent suicide among patients receiving community psychiatric care.
Cantor
C H
CH
Mental Health Branch, Queensland Department of Health, Brisbane, Australia.
Burnett
P C
PC
Quinn
J
J
Nizette
D
D
Brook
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare; D001315:Australia; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D000092864:Suicide Prevention