Suicide Within 12 Months of Mental Health Service Contact in Different age and Diagnostic Groups: National Clinical Survey

This study describes social & clinical characteristics in cases of suicide from different age & diagnostic groups. 4859 patients in England & Wales who died by suicide & had had recent contact (within 1 year) with mental health services during the period 1996-2000 were studied. It was found that prevention measures likely to benefit young people include targeting schizophrenia, dual diagnosis, & loss of service contact; those aimed at depression, isolation & physical ill-health should have more effect on elderly people. (22 refs.)