Preliminary findings of noncompliance with psychotropic medication and prevalence of methamphetamine intoxication associated with suicide completion.
OBJECTIVE
A study of medical examiner records from suicide completers was designed to identify potential precipitating factors in the decision to commit suicide.


METHODS
Forensic data has been collected for a subset of suicide victims in Utah who completed suicide between 1996 and 2002.


RESULTS
Youth suicide completers appear to be undiagnosed for mental illness, or to be noncompliant with psychotropic medications. Along with treatment issues, alcohol and methamphetamine were the most common substances found in the blood and/or urine of suicide completers.


CONCLUSIONS
Accurate diagnosis of mental illness, and improved compliance with psychotropic medications may play a critical role in suicide prevention. The prevalence of methamphetamine in suicide completers is unexpectedly high and requires further investigation.
Callor
William B
WB
Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84132, USA.
Petersen
Everett
E
Gray
Douglas
D
Grey
Todd
T
Lamoreaux
Terry
T
Bennett
Pamela J
PJ
D000293:Adolescent; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008694:Methamphetamine; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000523:psychology; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000523:psychology*; D014589:Utah; D000092864:Suicide Prevention
D008694:Methamphetamine