Papers and Originals: Efficacy of a Regional Poisoning Treatment Centre in Preventing Further Suicidal Behaviour

A survey of attempted suicide in Edinburgh revealed that patients who had had initial treatment at a special poisoning treatment centre repeated suicidal behavior 1/3 less than patients who were not admitted or were referred to other psychiatric services. Of 204 persons who attempted suicide in 1970; 88% of the 125 admitted to the poison centre had no further suicidal behavior. The study concluded that the crisis intervention as offerred by the centre is effective in secondary prevention.