Characteristics of Violent Attempted Suicides and Implications for After-Care

108 violent suicide attempters were compared to 863 nonviolent attempters in order to evaluate whether they formed a group with special needs. Violent attempters appear to have a significant lower female to male ratio, to be significantly older, & to show significantly more organic mental & major depressive disorders. Management of these patients should include thorough psychiatric screening, especially for major depressive disorders, & appropriate treatment. (16 refs.)