Overview of young people attempting suicide by drug overdose and prevention and protection services

Abstract

Overview of young people attempting suicide by drug overdose and prevention and protection services Objective: Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year-old-people in the world. The aim of this study is to present the characteristics of children and adolescents attempting suicide by drug overdose and to draw attention to preventive measures that can be taken in Turkey. Method: Records of the patients who admitted to a training and research hospital in one year period due to a suicide attempt by drug overdose were reviewed retrospectively. Sociodemographic data and psychiatric evaluation records of attempters were documented. Results: During the study period, 163 adolescents applied to the hospital with suicidal drug overdose. Child psychiatry consultation was ordered for 61.3% (n=100) of them. It was the first attempt of 90% of the cases. The frequency of having previous psychiatric diagnosis was significantly higher in patients with recurrent suicide attempts. In both impulsive and planned suicide attempts, the most preferred times were evening and night time. Women more often attempted suicide due to family conflict, while men attempted due to emotional relationship problems. All cases without psychiatric disorder or with externalizing problems attempted impulsive suicide. The most preferred drugs for suicide were, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressants, paracetamol, antibiotics and antipsychotics. Of the all cases, 22.5% attempted suicide by self medications. It has not been possible to maintain pediatric psychiatric follow up of the 71% of the cases. Conclusion: It is considered that public attention should be drawn to the increasing number of adolescent suicide attempts in order to prevent this issue. Family-oriented protective approaches, school-based preventive programs and new legal regulations on drug safety could help to reduce the frequency of suicide attempts..