Understanding the suicide rate post-discharge from a psychiatric hospital: Time for a rethink

Abstract

Objective: Research has repeatedly failed to account for the high suicide rate post-discharge from a psychiatric hospital. It is apparent that research in this field largely focuses on simple categorical variables and fails to consider inpatient experiences of their admission and treatment. Conclusions: Empirically investigating how the treatment experience itself can contribute to post-discharge adverse outcomes is required. Failure to broaden our investigation into causes of post-discharge suicide will hamper our efforts in addressing this devastating issue.