Suicide attempts by jumping from a height: a consultation liaison experience.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this research was to study the demographic and clinical characteristics of a group of patients who attempted suicide by jumping from a height and sustained injuries that required hospitalisation.

METHOD: Participants were patients who were admitted to a large tertiary hospital in Brisbane City following a suicide attempt. Patients received treatment-as-usual and their hospital files were audited retrospectively.

RESULTS

The patient profile was of a 31-year-old single person with a diagnosis of either a psychotic illness or borderline personality disorder. Sixty percent had prior contact with a mental health service and nearly three-quarters had made a previous attempt. Eighty percent reported the attempt was impulsive and nearly three-quarters reported having suicidal intent. The majority of attempts were precipitated by interpersonal stressors. Spinal injuries were the most common result.

CONCLUSIONS

Practical implications include the role of interpersonal stressors as treatment targets. The impulsive nature of the attempt also raises the issue of physical barriers to deter suicide attempts by jumping from a height.