A study of hopelessness, suicidal intent and depession in cases of attempted suicide

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine the severity and relationship of depression, hopelessness & sucide intent in individuals attempting suicides. Individuals admitted to a northern India hospital emergency services between 1st Jan. '94 to 31st Dec. '94 with suicide attempt were taken up for study and assessed with the help of different tools. 79 patients were screened for the study and 56 patients were included (33 male & 23 female). Majority of the sample was below 30 years of age (82.1%). Organophosphorus consumption and drug overdose was most common (75%) psychiatric illness was present in 57% cases, depression being most common 37.5% (p< 0.001) 22 subjects showed mild to moderate suicide intent (39.28%) & 16% subjects showed hopelessness score above 9. Variables taken up for the study have a highly significan correlation with each other i.e. suicidal intent, hopelessness and depression.

Keywords: Beck hopelessness scale; SIQ; Suicide; depression; organophosphorus poisoning.