Citation

Linsley K, Martin J. Psychiatr. Danub. 2006; 18(Suppl 1): 93.

Affiliation

County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust, County Hospital, North Rd, DH14ST Durham, UK. (keith.linsley@cddps.nhs.uk)

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Facultas Universitatis Studiorum Zagrabiensis - Danube Symposion of Psychiatry)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16964022

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to evaluate contact with police prior to suicide and to understand interface implications for suicide prevention with health agencies. A systematic study of all suicide, open and accidental deaths was undertaken from 1999 to 2001 inclusive, followed by a cross-reference of Police computer records. Of the 205 suicide cases that were found in the period, 40 (19.5%) had a documented contact with police within 3 months of suicide, a roughly equal mixture of victims and alleged perpetrators of crime. Of these, a significant number had also seen a health professional recently (42.5% with a GP, 32.5% with a mental health worker, and 15% with an A&E department). A significant number of suicides had contact with police, and as many cases had seen a police officer within 3 months of suicide as had seen a mental health professional within 12 months of suicide. There is a need for training for the police in identifying individuals at risk of suicide and better communication between health agencies to help manage this risk.

Language: en