Presentations by youth to Auckland Emergency Departments following a suicide attempt

✍ Scribed by Sara Bennett; Carolyn Coggan; Rhonda Hooper; Cherie Lovell; Peter Adams

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2002
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 101 KB
• Volume: 11
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1324-3780
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-0979.2002.00241.x

✦ Synopsis

ABSTRACT:

__The objective of this study was to describe the population of European youth (15–24 years) presenting to emergency departments (EDs) at one of the three Auckland public hospitals following attempted suicide; and to identify factors associated with presentations to EDs by these youth. A 1‐year medical record review was undertaken. A total of 212 presentations (196 individuals) occurred during the surveillance; alcohol was present for 29%. Attempts involving alcohol were more likely to occur at weekends (__P __< 0.01); involve cutting and piercing (__P __< 0.05); be undertaken by employed people (__P __< 0.05), and be undertaken by those not residing with family (__P < 0.01). Two groups of particular concern were identified: those who involved alcohol in their attempt; and those who represented during the study period following multiple suicide attempts. These findings have implications for immediate care within an ED setting, and long‐term follow‐up healthcare options for distressed young people.