Increased risk of suicide reattempt according to the type of brief contact interventions in the VigilanS program: The critical role of PTSD and anxiety disorders

Introduction

Global suicide rates highlight the critical need for effective preventive measures. Brief contact interventions (BCIs), such as France's Vigilans program, provide cost-effective prevention strategies. This study evaluates the suicide reattempt risk following BCIs in the aftermath of suicide attempt (SA) and identifies sociodemographic and clinical predictors to guide targeted prevention efforts.

Method

We conducted a prospective cohort analysis of 1044 non-first-time suicide attempters, enrolled in the Vigilans program between 2015 and 2020. The program offers diverse BCIs: a phone call only; a phone call followed by postcards (if in suicidal crisis); postcards only (if unreachable); and no intervention (if unreachable and have not provided an address). We used a multivariate Cox model and a multinomial logistic regression to examine the risk associated with each intervention and identify factors influencing intervention receipt.

Results

Compared to sole phone call, participants who received both a phone call and postcards, only postcards, or no intervention had a higher risk of suicide reattempt. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was linked to a higher likelihood of receiving both a phone call and postcards, postcards only, or no intervention. Panic disorder was associated with receiving both a phone call and postcards, while generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) was linked to receiving postcards only.

Conclusion

Participants who received interventions beyond a singular phone call faced higher risks of subsequent SAs. Because these groups had greater suicidality or did not adhere to the program, this finding underscores the importance of tailoring interventions to the specific needs of patients with varying levels of suicidality.