The Serious Suicide Attempt: Epidemiological and Follow-Up Study of 886 Patients

Of 886 patients in Edinburgh who attempted suicide, 21 percent made serious attempts and 79 percent nonserious attempts. One-year follow-up revealed that patients making serious attempts had more than twice the suicide rate of the other group. The author feels that patients with depression or insomnia, or both, plus three or more other high-risk signs—older than 40 years; married; recently separated; widowed, retired, or living alone; middle class; good employment record—should be taken seriously, treated, and hospitalized if necessary.