Prevalence of Reported Suicidal Behaviour in the General Population and Mental Health-Care Staff

Identical questions about suicide were addressed to a random sample of the general population & to mental health-care staff in Stockholm. Life weariness among the latter was also investigated. Age- & sex-standardized past year prevalences of suicidal thoughts & suicide attempts were found to be similar among mental health-care staff & the general population. Lifetime prevalence of both suicidal thoughts & suicide attempts was significantly higher among mental health-care staff than among the general population. Psychologists/social workers were found to have a higher probability of: lifetime thoughts that life is not worth living; death wishes; & suicidal thoughts, than nurses/assistant nurses. (29 refs)