Citation

Spurgeon D. Br. Med. J. BMJ 2005; 330(7503): 1288.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/bmj.330.7503.1288-b

PMID

15933348

Abstract

The number of people who attempted suicide or made suicidal "gestures" (cries for help rather than really wanting to kill themselves) and who received treatment rose significantly in the United States over a decade, a new study shows. But although a greater proportion of people received treatment, over the same period there was no decline in the total number of people country-wide with suicidal behaviours, ranging from suicidal thoughts to suicide attempts. The findings seem to indicate that the increase in the treatment of emotional problems over the decade did not close the gap between disadvantaged groups and other people in the risk of suicidal behaviours.  The researchers, from Harvard Medical School, looked at the proportions of people among a nationally representative sample who reported suicidal behaviours in the previous 12 months and the proportion who reported receiving treatment for emotional problems in that period.