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Suicide and Related Behaviour from River Bridges

A Clinical Perspective

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

C. H. Cantor ,
M. A. Hill  and
E. K. McLachlan
C. H. Cantor*
Affiliation:
Valley Community Psychiatry Service, 162 Alfred Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Q 4006, Australia
M. A. Hill
Affiliation:
Research & Evaluation Unit, Division of Research and Planning, Queensland Department of Health, Brisbane
E. K. McLachlan
Affiliation:
Monash Medical Centre, formerly Valley Community Psychiatry Service, Brisbane
*
∗Correspondence
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Abstract

A survey was conducted of 47 suicides, 16 failed suicides, and 24 attempted suicides that occurred from Brisbane river bridges over 15 years. Compared with findings from other suicide surveys, subjects of bridge suicides and failed suicides had a much higher rate of schizophrenia (46%), with hallucinations often precipitating the jump. They also had extensive histories of previous self-harm. Those who attempted suicide by jumping had a higher rate of personality disorder (58%) compared with findings from other attempted suicide surveys, and had very extensive histories of previous self-harm which tended to continue beyond the bridge incident. Both groups had histories of extensive previous psychiatric care.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 155 , Issue 6 , December 1989 , pp. 829 - 835
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1989 

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