Prevalence of suicide risk factors in people at ultra-high risk of developing psychosis: a service audit: Suicide risk in UHR clients

Hutton, Paul; Bowe, Samantha; Parker, Sophie; Ford, Sarah

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to provide an estimate of the cross-sectional prevalence of possible suicide risk factors in those attending a routine clinical service for people at UHR of developing psychosis.

Methods: For all patients in treatment (n = 34) over a 4-week period, levels of suicidal ideation and depression upon entry to the service were assessed by auditing intake scores on the Beck Depression Inventory, second edition. Level of engagement with services, social isolation, substance and alcohol misuse, ready access to means, current suicidal ideation, previous suicide attempts, current or previous self-harm, expressions of concern from others, depression, agitation, hopelessness, worthlessness, suspiciousness and fears of mental disintegration were all assessed by case note review and interview with the treating clinician.

Results: There was a high prevalence of at least mild suicidal ideation (58.8%, n = 20) and severe depressed mood (47%, n = 16) in this client group at point of entry to the service. Seven people (20.6%) had engaged in serious self-harm (including attempted suicide) during the time they were in contact with the service. Forty-seven per cent (n = 16) reported at least 27 suicide attempts between them; the mean number of attempts being 1.69 (standard deviation = 1.08).

Conclusion: Suicide risk was high in this small sample of people at UHR of developing psychosis. Controlled research with larger samples and better methodology is urgently required to inform legal, ethical and scientific debates surrounding this group.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 28, 2011
• Online Publication Date: Oct 27, 2011
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2011
• Deposit Date: Dec 16, 2016
• Journal: Early Intervention in Psychiatry
• Print ISSN: 1751-7885
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 5
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 375-380
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-7893.2011.00302.x
• Keywords: Psychiatric mental health, biological psychiatry; psychiatry and mental health,
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/455774