[Prevention and after-care of suicidal behavior--a literature review]

In this review of the literature on studies concerning the prevention of suicide and the effect of after-care of patients who have attempted to take their lives it is concluded that no treatment which works has yet been discovered. Of five clinically controlled studies only one suggested that it affected the repetition frequency of attempts at suicide. When other effects were assessed there was an improvement in the patients' social functions and a reduction in their abuse of alcohol. The studies have shown that not only psychiatrists but also other physicians and categories of personnel can undertake attendance on, and after-care of patients who have attempted suicide provided that they receive the necessary training and supervision.