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Abstract
The objective of this study was to explore suicidal behaviors documented at time of discharge from acute psychiatric hospitalization. Data from 114 acute psychiatric admissions were reviewed for 22 veterans with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Information extracted included presence of suicidal ideation, nature of suicide attempts, and TBI characteristics. The Lethality of Suicide Attempt Rating Scale was used to classify veterans' non-lethal self-harm behavior. Post-TBI, 6 patients (27.3%) made a total of 14 suicide attempts. Half of those attempts required wounds being sutured, stomach lavage, or other medical attention. Clinicians and researchers are strongly encouraged to focus increased attention on suicide prevention in those with a history of TBI.
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Notes
Education is listed in years of formal education completed.
1Pedestrian hit by car, suicide attempt; MVA = motor vehicle accident, MCA = motorcycle accident.
1Psychiatric diagnoses total to more than 100% due to the majority of patients receiving more than one diagnosis.
2Includes dementia and mood disorders due to general medical condition.
3Two patients were admitted and discharged on the same day.
1Earliest TBI, if patient had more than one. Self-injury involved the patient inflicting harm or injury on some part of their body (e.g., cutting wrists, setting self on fire). Traumatic injury involved jumping off a bridge.
2Of these, four were overdoses on prescription medications.
Academic institutional support for this project was provided by the VA VISN 19 MIRECC.