@article{c47b10770bf24cf29ae106211647e247,
title = "Patterns and predictors of help-seeking contacts with health services and general practitioner detection of suicidality prior to suicide: a cohort analysis of suicides occurring over a two-year period",
abstract = "Background: Contact with primary care and psychiatric services prior to suicide may be considerable, presentingopportunities for intervention. However, there is scant knowledge on the frequency, nature and determinants ofcontact.Method: Retrospective cohort study-an analysis of deaths recorded as suicide by the Northern Ireland Coroner{\textquoteright}sOffice linked with data from General Practice patient records over a 2 year periodResults: Eighty-seven per cent of suicides were in contact with General Practice services in the 12 months beforesuicide. The frequency of contact with services was considerable, particularly among patients with a commonmental disorder or substance misuse problems. A diagnosis of psychiatric problems was absent in 40 % of suicides.Excluding suicide attempts, the main predictors of a noted general practitioner concern for patient suicidality aremale gender, frequency of consultations, diagnosis of mental illness and substance misuse.Conclusions: Despite widespread and frequent contact, a substantial proportion of suicidal people wereundiagnosed and untreated for mental health problems. General Practitioner alertness to suicidality may be toonarrowly focused.",
keywords = "Suicide predictors, General Practice , Health Services, Suicidal Ideation",
author = "Gerard Leavey and Michael Rosato and Karen Galway and Lynette Hughes and Sharon Mallon and Janeet Rondon",
year = "2016",
month = apr,
day = "30",
doi = "10.1186/s12888-016-0824-7",
language = "English",
volume = "16",
pages = "120",
journal = "BMC Psychiatry",
issn = "1471-244X",
publisher = "BioMed Central Ltd",
number = "120",
}