Selection of Patients who Attempted Suicide for Psychiatric Consultation

In this study, patients who attempted suicide through self-poisoning were followed up to see if they received psychiatric consultation. A full 46% did not receive psychiatric help. Women & patients with previous psychiatric treatment were most often referred for psychiatric consultation, while those who were drinking alcohol at the time of the attempt were less often referred. There were no differences in suicide mortality in these two groups in the next five years. (VM)