Previous Suicidal Behaviours in Psychiatric Patients Who Later Committed Suicide

The purpose of this study was to examine how far prior suicidal behavior had been displayed by psychiatric patients who later committed suicide. Information was drawn from Helsinkipopulation register authorities on 1461 suicides committed in the years 1956-1965. A sample of 100 former psychiatric patients was drawn from the 504 who had had psychiatric treatment prior to their suicide. 23 had not exhibited any prior suicidal behavior but were loners without positive relationships. 10 ref.(HBB)