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doi:10.1016/j.eurpsy.2003.12.004 
Copyright © 2004 Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.
Original article
Attempted suicide and psychiatric consultation
Received 15 January 2003;
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Abstract
This study investigated the differences in clinical characteristics between suicide attempters referred or not referred to psychiatric consultation after a suicide attempt and factors affecting such referral to psychiatric aftercare after attempted suicide. All 1198 consecutive suicide attempters treated in hospital emergency rooms in Helsinki during a 12-month period were identified. Data were gathered on any psychiatric consultation after the attempt and on all health care contacts 1 year before and after the index attempt. We found that half of the suicide attempters who were not referred to psychiatric consultation were without any aftercare recommendation and treatment contact soon after their attempt. Factors predicting referral to psychiatric consultation were age, psychotic disorder, lack of substance use disorder and, most strongly, the hospital where the suicide attempt was treated. Although the characteristics of a patient attempting suicide do play a role in determining whether a psychiatric consultation will take place or not, the most important factor is the consultation practices of the particular hospital. This in turn influences the probability of adequate aftercare.
Author Keywords: Attempted suicide; Health care; Treatment; Psychiatric consultation
