Suicide decedent presentations to the Emergency Department: a 10-year data linkage analysis evaluating non-mental health-related presentations in the year preceding suicide in Victoria, Australia

EDs remain a point of healthcare contact prior to suicide, particularly for older, male, regional decedents who historically may not access healthcare elsewhere but have been identified here as ED patients. Findings reinforce existing evidence associating suicide and physical comorbidity. Male decedents presented with injuries which may have occurred due to interpersonal violence (potentially related to mental distress) or which may have subsequently precipitated suicidality given the high incidence of non-intentional harm. As such, there is an impetus for improved surveillance, opportunistic engagement and screening.