Mental illness and suicide in Israel

The purpose of the present research was to assess the effect of mental illness on suicide completion risk. The sample consisted of 1,307 single and multiple suicide attempters whose first suicide attempt was reported to the Ministry of Health in Israel between the years 1972-1976. Each person was followed up retrospectively until 1983. The results indicate that about 18% of the multiple suicide attempters (repeaters) completed suicide. There was an equal distribution of the repeaters who were motivated to suicide by mental illness, depression and various social conflicts and difficulties. However, the frequency of suicide was greater among those who were motivated to suicide by mental illness and depression. A log linear model for prediction of suicide which included the motives to suicide with some other sociodemographic and clinical variables yielded a good fit. Mental illness was found to be one of the most important factors which affect suicide completion on both choice points, that is the first and second suicide attempt and especially from the second one. Based on these models we presented some calculations of suicide probabilities risk of the patients. Our findings show that almost two-thirds of the suicide attempts due to mental illness are in the high suicide risk. Theoretical interpretations of our findings, suggesting the impact of the labelling of mentally ill people and their possible unwillingness to enter a sick role, are suggested.