Suicide and Community Psychiatric Care – a Preliminary Report

A preliminary survey of 34 suicides among patients using Brisbane community services for the chronically mentally ill revealed a rate of 520/100,000 admitted. In contrast to earlier hospital surveys, no risk variables were identified for patients dying by suicide. 34% of suicides occurred within 1 week of the last treatment & 59% within 3 months of service entry. Early & intensive follow-up may be necessary to prevent suicide among patients receiving community psychiatric care. (22 refs.)