Observational study of suicide attempts in a community mental health unit

Abstract

Introduction

Concurrent with the recent global economic crisis there is a rising concern about the effect of recession on suicide mortality rates.

Aim

To record patients treated urgently in community mental health unit of Motril, Granada (Spain) by attempted suicide.

Methods

Descriptive study recording patients treated urgently in Motril community mental health unit who have done any suicide gesture from February 2015 until December of that year.

Results

In total, 39 urgent assessments were recorded during the observational period.

The month of highest incidence was November, with 6 visits followed by August and October (5).

The most common method was voluntary drug intake.

Origin:

• – 59% were remitted from the general hospital emergency department;

• – critical care and emergency ambulatory devices: 1;

• – primary care: 10;

• – another specialist: 2;

• – own initiative: 2.

Discharge diagnosis:

• – 35.8% individuals did not meet criteria for any mental disorder, although some of them were classified with V or Z diagnosis according to ICD-10 for making a reactive gesture to a emotional crisis, couple breakups or economic problems;

• – 11 of them meet criteria for various anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive and adaptative crisis.

Discussion

Knowing some peculiar characteristics in suicidal populations as well as the most prevalent pathologies, it could be adapted both the profile of nurse attendance and the type of resources needed to ensure effective patient care.

Conclusion

Profile of patients attended for suicide attempt in an outpatient setting in a semi-rural coastal area is variated. It is worth to mention that one-third of this population did not meet criteria for any mental disorder.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.