Chain of Care for Patients who Have Attempted Suicide: a Follow-Up Study from Baerum, Norway

This study tested the effectiveness of a community-based suicide prevention team in preventing repeated suicide attempts & suicides, as part of a chain-of-care model for all general hospital treated suicide attempters in Baerum, Norway. Data has been collected consecutively since 1984. Between January 1984-December 2007, 1616 subjects were registered as having attempted suicide; 197 made another attempt within 12 months. Compared to subjects who did not receive assistance from the team, individuals involved in the program did not have a significantly different risk of repeated attempt within 6 months, 12 months, or 5 years. There was also no difference in risk of suicide. (26 refs.) JA