Suicide in psychiatric hospitals : Results, risk factors and therapeutic measures

• Published in: Nervenarzt Vol. 87; no. 5; pp. 474 - 482
• Main Authors: Wolfersdorf, M, Vogel, R, Vogl, R, Grebner, M, Keller, F, Purucker, M, Wurst, F M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: German
• Published: Germany 01-05-2016
• Subjects: Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Germany; Hospitals, Psychiatric - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Inpatients - psychology; Inpatients - statistics & numerical data; Male; Psychotherapy; Risk Factors; Suicide - prevention & control; Suicide - psychology; Suicide - statistics & numerical data; Psychotherapy; Schizophrenia; Inpatient suicide; Suicide rates; Preventive measures
• ISSN: 1433-0407
• DOI: 10.1007/s00115-016-0111-3

Suicide prevention is a core responsibility of psychiatry and psychotherapy. Periods of change in psychiatric inpatient treatment concepts are usually also accompanied by an increase in psychopathological behavior and with increased suicide rates in psychiatric hospitals, as seen in the 1970s and 1980s in Germany. That this represented a real increase of inpatient suicides during those years was confirmed and subsequently the number and rate of inpatient suicides has decreased from approximately 280 out of 100,000 admissions of patients in 1980 to approximately 50 in 2014. Death can also occur in psychiatric hospitals and an absolute prevention is not possible even under optimal conditions of therapy and nursing, communication and security. The suicide rate has clearly decreased over the last two decades in relation to admissions. The group of young male schizophrenic patients newly identified as having a high clinical suicide risk has decreased among the suicide victims whereas the percentage of severely depressed patients with delusions has increased. This reduction could be associated with the comprehensive improvements in educational and training programs in the field of suicide and suicide prevention, objectification of coping methods, development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, improvements in therapy and relationship possibilities and a general reduction in the number of suicides in Germany.