Work

Changes in the Pattern of Admissions for Attempted Suicide in Newcastle upon Tyne during the 1960s

Year: 1971

Type: article

Abstract: Comparison of 726 admissions to Newcastle upon Tyne General Hospital for attempted suicide in the period 1 October 1966 to 30 September 1969 with a previously reported series of 276 in 1962-4 showed an overall increase in annual admissions of 77%. For both sexes under age 30 years and females over 60 years the increase was over double. Psychiatric morbidity had increased, and there was also a significant rise in the proportion of unemployed men.The relative frequency of ingestion of non-barbiturate psychotropic or hypnotic drugs and barbiturates had changed, the former now being more common than the latter as the suicidal agent. Finally, there had been a significant increase in the proportion of patients receiving subsequent psychiatric treatment.

Source: BMJ

DOI: 10.1136/bmj.4.5784.412

Authors: J. S. Smith, K. Davison

Institutions: Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UNSW Sydney, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Suicide and Self-Harm Studies

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: Newcastle University