Suicide Mortality Among Patients Treated for Depression in an Insured Population

Suicide mortality among members of the Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound was examined. All enrollees who received treatment for depression during 1992-1994 & all deaths & suicides occurring before January 1995 were identified. 36 of 850 deaths were classified as probable or definite suicides. The suicide mortality rate was significantly higher among men than women. Data suggest that overall suicide risk for patients treated for depression is considerably lower than previously reported.