@article{ref1,
title="Patterns and predictors of help-seeking contacts with health services and general practitioner detection of suicidality prior to suicide: a cohort analysis of suicides occurring over a two-year period",
journal="BMC psychiatry",
year="2016",
author="Leavey, Gerard and Rosato, Michael and Galway, Karen and Hughes, Lynette and Mallon, Sharon and Rondón, Janeet",
volume="16",
number="1",
pages="e120-e120",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Contact with primary care and psychiatric services prior to suicide may be considerable, presenting opportunities for intervention. However, there is scant knowledge on the frequency, nature and determinants of contact. <br><br>METHOD: Retrospective cohort study-an analysis of deaths recorded as suicide by the Northern Ireland Coroner's Office linked with data from General Practice patient records over a 2 year period RESULTS: Eighty-seven per cent of suicides were in contact with General Practice services in the 12 months before suicide. The frequency of contact with services was considerable, particularly among patients with a common mental disorder or substance misuse problems. A diagnosis of psychiatric problems was absent in 40 % of suicides. Excluding suicide attempts, the main predictors of a noted general practitioner concern for patient suicidality are male gender, frequency of consultations, diagnosis of mental illness and substance misuse. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Despite widespread and frequent contact, a substantial proportion of suicidal people were undiagnosed and untreated for mental health problems. General Practitioner alertness to suicidality may be too narrowly focused.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1471-244X",
doi="10.1186/s12888-016-0824-7",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12888-016-0824-7"
}