Outcome of Patients Committed to Hospital Under the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1960

The outcome of 111 patients formally detained in a Scottish psychiatric hospital between 1974-79 was determined 2.5-8.5 years later. A matched group of 57 patients, detained under emergency orders only, were also followed-up. From information gathered at the time of detention, 39% of the formally detained patients were judged to be at risk of suicide. At follow-up in 1982, 3 patients in the formally detained group had died by suicide. There were no suicides in the control group. (7 refs.)