Suicide methods in the year following release from pretrial jail detention.

Abstract

Purpose: Despite an increasing body of knowledge on suicide methods, no previous studies have examined methods of past suicide attempts among individuals in pretrial jail detention and a follow-up after release from jail in the USA or in any other country. This study aims to describe suicide attempt methods considered and used in one's lifetime prior to pretrial jail detention and suicide attempt methods considered and used in the year following release from pretrial jail detention.

Design/methodology/approach: Participants (n = 800) were recruited as part of a randomized controlled trial. They provided information on methods considered or acted on in their lifetime prior to the current pretrial jail detention as well as in the first year of release from jail.

Findings: Participants most frequently reported having considered and attempted suicide by poisoning (82% and 72.8%), cutting/piercing (47.8% and 35.3%), suffocation (42.1% and 20.8%), transportation (39.9% and 25.3%), falls and jumping (27.4% and 8.0%) prior to jail detention. After jail detention, they mostly considered and attempted suicide by poisoning (73.6% and 73.4%), cutting/piercing (28.6% and 13.9%), suffocation (33.2% and 10.1%), transportation (23.6% and 18.6%), falls and jumping (20.9% and 2.5%).

Originality/value: Given that poisoning, often with drugs or alcohol, was the commonest suicide attempt method, increasing access to effective substance use treatment may help to attenuate significant suicide risk. The study has laid the foundation for future research to explore potential moderators of suicide methods as well as to assess whether the findings are applicable to other parts of the world.