Patients who Attempted Suicide and Failed to Attend Mental Health Centres

This study examined the characteristics of individuals who did not attend outpatient centres to which they were referred after a suicide attempt. 232 Spanish patients who attended a hospital emergency department were interviewed. 73 percent of the sample did not go to the mental health centre to which they had been referred. In comparison to the attending group, non-attenders were unmarried, residing in an urban area, took less precautions not to be discovered, were more critical of the attempt, & attempted suicide to resolve a conflict. Data emphasize the importance of social & interpersonal aspects in determining the psychiatric care needed by these patients. (22 refs.) JA