@article{ref1,
title="Comparisons between suicide in persons with serious mental illness, other mental disorders, or no known mental illness: results from 37 U.S. states, 2003-2017",
journal="Schizophrenia Research",
year="2021",
author="Hammer, Paul and Costa, Mark and Schmutte, Timothy and Davidson, Larry",
volume="228",
number="",
pages="74-82",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Suicide is a leading cause of death in persons with schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses (SMI), however, little is known about the  characteristics and circumstances of suicide decedents with SMI in the US compared  to those with other or no known mental illness. <br><br>METHODS: This study was a  retrospective analysis of suicide deaths in individuals aged ≥18 years from the  National Violent Death Reporting System, 2003-2017. Odds ratios compared  sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, cause of death, precipitating  circumstances, and post-mortem toxicology results. All analyses were stratified by  gender. <br><br>RESULTS: Of the 174,001 suicide decedents, 8.7% had a known SMI, 33.0% had  other mental disorders, and 58.2% had no known mental illness. Relative to persons  with other mental disorders, SMI decedents were younger and more likely to have  previous suicide attempts and co-occurring drug use. Problems with intimate  partners, poor physical health, and recent institutional release were the most  common precipitating circumstances for SMI decedents. Firearms were the most common  suicide method for males with SMI. Although 67.0% male and 76.0% of female SMI  decedents were currently in treatment, toxicology results suggest many were not  taking antipsychotic or antidepressant medications at the time of death. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Persons with SMI are over-represented in suicide deaths. Efforts to  improve treatment of co-occurring substance use disorders, continuity of care  following hospitalization, medication adherence, and to reduce access to firearms  are important suicide prevention strategies.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0920-9964",
doi="10.1016/j.schres.2020.11.058",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2020.11.058"
}