Psychiatric Services Utilization in Completed Suicides of a Youth Centres Population

From 1995-2000, 422 Quebec youths, aged 18 & younger, died by suicide. More than one-third had received services from youth centres at some point. Compared to living youth centre subjects, suicide victims had a higher rate of psychiatric service utilization in the week, month, 90 days, & year preceding suicide as well as higher levels of lifetime hospitalization for psychiatric reasons than controls with or without a history of suicidal behaviour or ideation. This study underscores the need for appropriate recognition of psychiatric & suicidal problems among youth centre populations. (14 refs.)