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Suicide attempters in New Haven: a ten-year perspective
Journal of the National Medical Association
|August 1, 1988
Summary
This study analyzed 294 suicide attempters, finding increased use of psychoactive medications and a higher male-to-female ratio. Suicide attempt rates declined overall in the New Haven area.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Suicide attempts represent a significant public health concern.
- Understanding trends in suicide attempts is crucial for prevention strategies.
- Previous studies in general hospital settings provide a baseline for comparison.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the characteristics of suicide attempters presenting to a general hospital psychiatric service in 1980.
- To compare the 1980 sample with previous findings from similar settings.
- To identify significant changes in methods, demographics, and psychiatric history among attempters.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective, descriptive study design.
- Chart review of 294 individuals who attempted suicide.
- Analysis of demographic data, psychiatric history, diagnosis, and method of attempt.
Main Results:
- 71% of attempters had a prior psychiatric history; 31% were psychotic; 25% had substance abuse diagnoses.
- Overdose remained the primary method, with a significant increase in psychoactive medication use (P < .001).
- The male to female ratio of attempters increased to 0.8191; the overall suicide attempt rate in New Haven SMSA declined to 191.32/100,000.
Conclusions:
- The profile of suicide attempters in a general hospital setting evolved by 1980.
- Increased use of psychoactive medications in overdose attempts warrants further investigation.
- Shifting gender ratios and declining overall rates suggest complex underlying trends in suicide attempts.