Subsequent Suicide Mortality Among Emergency Department Patients Seen for Suicidal Behavior

Patients presenting for suicide attempt or ideation, self-harm, or overdose between 1994-2004 were compared with patients coming to a New Mexico emergency room for other reasons. Among the 218,304 patients, the average follow-up was 6.0 years; there were 408 suicides. Males had a higher rate than females. A single emergency department visit for overdose, suicide ideation, or self-harm was strongly associated with increased suicide risk, relative to other patients. The suicide rate among these emergency department patients is higher than population-based estimates. Results suggest support for policies that mandate psychiatric interventions in all cases. (39 refs.)