Visiting emergency wing increases risk of self-directed violence

Though suicide is the second most reason for death among youth, the patients between the 15-29 age group visiting the Emergency Department (ED) for medical complaints have the increased risk of self-directed violence.

The broad number of physical health conditions associated with an increased risk of self-directed violence may serve to support expanded or broader screening among teens and young adults.

The findings of the study are published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Approximately 40 per cent of suicide decedents aged 16 and older visit EDs in the year prior to their deaths, 60 per cent of them receive medical diagnoses other than mental health or substance abuse.

"Young people presenting to the ED for certain medical conditions are at an increased risk of subsequent self-directed violence," said Jing Wang, a researcher. "An awareness of these medical encounters may help guide screening efforts for suicide prevention in clinical settings," he added.

During the research, it was identified that the medical reasons triggering youth Emergency Department visit are associated with a higher risk of subsequent suicidal behaviour.

Furthermore, individuals who visited three or more times for dental complaints were also found to be more likely to engage in subsequent self-directed violence. ED visitors in the group who received diagnoses of minor infections served as a reference group.

The findings also showed that half of the self-directed violence events occurred within 42 days of the initial ED visit. The broad number of physical health conditions associated with an increased risk of subsequent suicidal behaviour may help inform and support expanded screening and suicide prevention strategies in EDs.