The last appointment before suicide: is suicide intent communicated?

Abstract

Objective: The authors' goal was to determine whether people who committed suicide within 4 weeks after having made contact with a health care professional communicated their intent to commit suicide during that final contact.

Method: Using data from a nationwide psychological autopsy study of all suicides in Finland that occurred in 1 year, the authors examined the 571 cases of suicide victims whose last appointment with a health care professional took place up to 28 days before suicide, including 100 cases of victims who had appointments on the day of suicide.

Results: Suicide intent was reportedly discussed in only 22% of the cases; it was particularly uncommon in general practice and nonpsychiatric specialist settings.

Conclusions: The majority of patients who commit suicide do not seem to communicate their intent to do so during their last appointment.