Spinal Cord Injuries and Attempted Suicide: a Retrospective Review

In a retrospective review of the cases of 137 individuals with spinal cord injury as a result of a suicide attempt between 1951-1992, the authors ascertain demographic details of the participant sample, explore & identify the psychiatric conditions evident around the time of the injury, & review outcome information of this sample with specific focus on mortality, especially further evidence of deliberate self harm. Significant findings include a high proportion of schizophrenia; similar age profiles; & eventual suicide in 24% of the sample. (21 refs)