Long-term suicide risk in forensic psychiatric patients

The objectives of this study was to describe the rate of suicide and other causes of death in first admissions to a (medium) secure forensic psychiatric facility. All 595 patients were followed up for a maximum of 20 years. Death certificates were obtained and Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMRs) were calculated. At the June 2003 census, 57 patients (9.6%) had died of whom 18 (3.0%) had committed suicide; if deaths categorized as open verdicts are included the number rises to 26 (4.4%). The SMR for death by suicide was higher for a Mental Health Act classification of Mental Illness (SMR = 3,553) compared to Psychopathic Disorder (SMR = 1,892). The risks of mortality in this population are high from any cause, particularly from suicide.