The Characteristics of Suicides Within a Week of Discharge After Psychiatric Hospitalisation – a Nationwide Register Study

Suicides from a Finnish nationwide register were linked with preceding periods of psychiatric inpatient treatment. Characteristics of suicides within a week of discharge were compared to those occurring later after discharge. Compared to other previously hospitalised suicide victims, those committing suicide within a week of discharge were more often female, unmarried, had a higher grade of education & a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum or affective disorder &, had gained a smaller improvement in psychological functioning during hospitalisation. (LC) (15 refs)