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Suicide on the Isle of Wight: A Case-study of 35 Suicides among Mental Health Service Users Between 2006 and 2008

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Homayun Shahpesandy  and
Ad van Heeswijk
Homayun Shahpesandy*
Affiliation:
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, Roseberry Park, Middlesbrough TS4 3AF
Ad van Heeswijk
Affiliation:
Acute & Recovery Community Mental Health Service, Chantry House, 29-31 Pyle Street, Newport, Isle of Wight PO30 1JW, United Kingdom
*
*Correspondence E-mail [email protected]
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Abstract

Aims: To identify the sociodemographic, clinical and service delivery risk factors for suicide in psychiatric patients in a limited geographic area.

Method: A retrospective case study of 35 patients who died as a result of suicide between January 2006 and December 2008.

Results: Male gender, unemployment, living alone, basic education and significant life events were identified as sociodemographic factors. A history of previous psychiatric admission, previous suicide attempt, suffering from depression, co-morbidity of another psychiatric disorder (mainly stress-related symptoms and alcoholism), and contacting the services prior to suicide were found as typical clinical factors. Hanging was the most common method of suicide in both men and women. Most men died in spring and summer, while the majority of females died in autumn.

Clinical implications: As in similar studies, mental disorders could be identified as the strongest risk factor for suicide. Almost 70% of suicides were conducted by people suffering from a mental disorder. Treating mental disorders and identifying certain sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of people suffering from mental disorders and addressing them is the key in suicide prevention strategies.

Keywords

suicideservice usersrisk factorsmental disorderssociodemographics
Type
Original Paper
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 29 , Issue 2 , 2012 , pp. 80 - 84
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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