title: Thoughts of suicide and stage of recovery in patients with schizophrenia in community mental health care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Suicidality among patients with schizophrenia remains a major concern. The consumer-oriented concept of recovery has been recognised as important in recent years. We aimed to assess whether there was any relationship between stages of recovery and suicidality among people with schizophrenia in community care.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a community mental health service, 85 patients with schizophrenia consented to an interview during which their stages of recovery were assessed using the Stages of Recovery Instrument. They were asked about suicidality and screened for depression using the Revised Clinical Interview Schedule. Insight was assessed via the Insight and Treatment Attitudes Questionnaire. Data analysis involved logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the past year 14% of the patients reported having wanted to die and 13% had considered suicide. Scores indicating the highest stage of recovery were associated with lower odds of suicidal thoughts. In contrast, suicidality was not significantly associated with depression or stage of insight.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The link found between suicidality and stages of recovery has practical implications for suicide prevention among those with schizophrenia in community care. Approaches that facilitate the recovery process may reduce suicidal thoughts in this population.
authors: Department of Psychological Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. chris.gale@otago.ac.nz
authors: Christopher
authors: C
authors: Gale
authors: Keren
authors: K
authors: Skegg
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Mullen
authors: Tess
authors: T
authors: Patterson
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Gray
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003155:Community Mental Health Centers; D003863:Depression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires