Citation

Patja K. Mental Health Aspects of Developmental Disabilities 2004; 7(4): 117-123.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Suicides of persons with mental retardation are considered rare. In a 35-year (1962-1998) follow-up study of a nation-wide, population-based cohort of 2,677 persons with intellectual disability, only 10 suicide cases were discovered. Suicide risks of persons with mental retardation include psychiatric morbidity with challenging care needs, social problems and difficulties in adjusting to them and ageing. Those working with intellectually disabled individuals need to be aware of these risks in order to recognize severe depression, emotional instability and lack of will to live, possibly leading to either attempted or completed suicide.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; Finland; Depression; suicide; Suicide; female; male; aged; case report; aging; depression; suicide attempt; risk assessment; disease severity; Mood; emotional disorder; morbidity; Psychiatric disorder; article; population research; social problem; follow up; mental deficiency; health care need; Developmental disability; Intellectual disability; Mental retardation; intellectual impairment