Utilization of psychiatric services prior to suicide- a retrospective comparison of users with and without previous suicide attempts

The results underline the importance of improved suicide risk assessment as well as thorough diagnostic assessment and when indicated, psychiatric treatment as suicide preventive interventions regardless of PSA. Furthermore, the larger proportion of absence from appointments in individuals with PSA may indicate a need of improved alliance between psychiatric care providers and individuals with PSA.HIGHLIGHTSBeing assessed with elevated suicide risk was more common among those with previous attempt/s (PSA).One-fifth of all with no previous attempt (NSA) had no psychiatric diagnosis, compared to one in ten in those with PSA.Receiving psychotropic medication was more common among those with PSA.