Previous Psychiatric Hospitalizations and Current Suicidal Behavior in Crisis-Line Callers

The relationship between previous psychiatric hospitalization (PPH) & later suicidal behavior was studied in 151 callers to a crisis intervention phone line. A significant linear relationship was found between PPH & degree of suicidality. Callers who made a suicide attempt during their contact with the crisis line had 71% likelihood of PPH. Implications of this finding include the probable vulnerability of post-psychiatric callers to stress.