Suicide in primary care in England: 2002-2011. National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness.

Most people who die by suicide have seen their GP in the previous year. Although this may provide an opportunity for prevention, identifying patients who are at particular risk is difficult. We wanted to examine aspects of primary healthcare prior to suicide to inform prevention. Specifically, we wanted to: compare the number and pattern of GP contacts in patients who died by suicide and in living controls, determine how frequently suicide was preceded by mental health diagnosis, prescription of psychotropic medication and referral to specialist mental health care, identify possible markers of suicide risk in primary care

Contact us for a copy of this article, or view online at http://mentalhealthpartnerships.com/resource/suicide-in-primary-care-in-england-2002-2011/