Substance use-related suicide after release from correctional, behavioral health, and healthcare facilities using national violent death reporting system data

Introduction Suicide and substance use are prevalent problems among persons discharged from facilities. This study (1) articulated rates of substance-related suicide deaths among those discharged correctional, behavioral health, and healthcare facilities, and (2) identified factors associated with substance-related suicide deaths unique to, or generalizing across, facility discharge. Methods We used data from the National Violent Death Reporting System. Suicide deaths (N = 105,968) were aggregated from 2003 to 2017. Chi-square and independent samples t-tests were used to examine associations between drug/alcohol-related deaths and each correlate. Logistic regression was employed to identify the most robust substance-related suicide death-related factors. Results Suicide deaths were commonly marked as being substance-related: 69% from correctional institutions, 54% from behavioral health facilities, 45% from those not released from a facility, and 39% from healthcare facilities. Regression models indicated housing interruptions and interpersonal stressors increased odds of the suicide death being marked as substance-related across discharge categories. Each discharge category also had unique predictors, underscoring the need for tailored prevention. Conclusions Substance-related suicide deaths are particularly common among adults discharged from correctional and behavioral health facilities. Findings are discussed with respect to community-focused, discharge planning, and clinical care suicide prevention strategies.