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Mortality and suicide after self-harm: community cohort study in Taiwan
Vincent C H Chen1, Happy K L Tan, Chung-Ying Chen
1Department of Psychiatry, Chung San Medical University Hospital and School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
Summary
Individuals who self-harm in Taiwan face significantly increased risks of death, particularly from suicide. This highlights the urgent need for targeted suicide prevention programs for those with a history of self-harm.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Limited data exists on mortality outcomes following self-harm in East Asian populations.
- Self-harm is a significant public health concern with varying epidemiological patterns globally.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mortality rates and causes of death among individuals who have engaged in self-harm within a Taiwanese population.
- To identify risk factors associated with mortality after self-harm.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 1083 individuals who self-harmed between 2000-2003 was identified through a population-based self-harm register in Nantou County, Taiwan.
- Follow-up data until 2007 was obtained from a national mortality database to determine causes and dates of death.
Main Results:
- A total of 145 deaths were recorded, with 48 attributed to suicide.
- The first-year mortality risk was 4.7% for all causes and 2.1% for suicide, representing substantial standardized increases.
- Male gender and older age were identified as independent risk factors for both suicide and non-suicide mortality.
Conclusions:
- The findings underscore the critical need to prioritize individuals with recent self-harm histories in suicide prevention strategies.
- Effective interventions are crucial for reducing the elevated mortality risk observed in this population.
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