Suicides in males after the first episode of schizophrenia.

The aim of this study was a retrospective analysis of available data on patients who committed suicide after the first episode of schizophrenia with focus on risk factors for suicide. Seven of 162 patients consecutively hospitalized at the Department of Psychiatry in Brno with first-episode schizophrenia and followed up for 10 years committed suicide by hanging (n = 4), shooting (n = 1), jumping from height (n = 1), and drowning (n = 1). All patients had more known risk factors and had visited a psychiatrist shortly before their suicide. However, according to the documentation, the patients were not asked about their intention to commit suicide and the potentially modifiable risk factors. Under the conditions of routine clinical practice, the prevention of suicide after the first psychotic episode should include early aggressive treatment and careful monitoring for suicidal behaviors in patients with known risk factors.