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Suicide among Psychiatric In-Patients with Schizophrenia in an Australian Mental Hospital

Psychiatric in-patient suicides are associated with schizophrenia. In this paper, 62 suicides in patients with schizophrenia, over a 21-year period in a large psychiatric hospital in Melbourne, Australia, were examined. The characteristics, including demographic and clinical data, for the suicides were compared with a comparison group of 22 ‘alive’ inpatients with schizophrenia. Suicide among in-patients with schizophrenia was associated with previous deliberate self-harm, a greater number of episodes of previous deliberate self-harm, pre-admission and intra-admission suicidal thoughts, intra-admission suicidal attempts, fluctuating suicidal ideation, longer length of stay, a greater number of ward transfers, and prescription of a greater number of neuroleptics and antidepressants. Over 40% of suicides occurred after absconding from hospital and a similar number during periods of approved leave. Violent methods (including jumping in front of trains, trams and road traffic, jumping off buildings, hanging and drowning) were most frequently used. It is concluded that psychiatric units should be developed away from readily available methods of suicide. In-patients at high risk should be observed carefully to avoid absconding and suicide. Suicide risk should be examined carefully in patients prior to approving leave, particularly if they have fluctuating suicidal ideation.