Citation

Comtois KA. Prim. Care Companion J. Clin. Psychiatry 2002; 4(4): e165.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, Physicians Postgraduate Press)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Parasuicide is a major risk factor for completed suicide. Studies of treatments for parasuicide were reviewed in order to further the development and improvement of interventions for parasuicide and to help decrease its prevalence, Method: Studies on parasuicide, which was defined as any nonfatal self-injury (including suicide attempts and self-mutilation), were identified via a literature search of the MEDLINE and PsycINFO databases for the years 1970 to 2001. The current review included only experimental and quasi-experimental controlled trials of treatment for parasuicidal individuals.

RESULTS and Conclusions: Parasuicide was identified in 4% to 5% the U.S. population and was found to be a significant predictor of completed suicide, which is the ninth leading cause of death in the United States and is responsible for 50% more deaths than homicide. Within the limited literature on treatments for parasuicide, several treatments have received empirical support, although studies of usual care show that these treatments are rarely used and that standard treatments, especially hospitalization. are very expensive. On the basis of the literature and established health services strategies, the following 8 steps for improving services to parasuicidal individuals are recommended: (1) establishing case registries, (2) evaluating the quality of care for parasuicidal individuals, (3) evaluating training in empirically supported treatments for parasuicide, (4) ensuring faithfulness to treatment models. (5) evaluating treatment outcomes, (6) identifying local programs for evaluation, (7) providing infrastructural supports to treating clinicians, and (8) implementing quality improvement projects.

Language: en