Patients' needs during the year after a suicide attempt

Abstract

Objective We first studied whether changes of needs were influenced by randomly allocated telephone interventions between 1 and 12 months after a suicide attempt in addition to treatment as usual. These were aimed at improving motivation for professional treatment. As a secondary analysis we investigated the frequency and changes of needs during this period and if changes were related to other outcome measures. Method One month after a suicide attempt 216 patients were randomised to two telephone interventions or to no such interventions within 1 year. The Camberwell Assessment of Need (CAN) was used to evaluate 22 different need areas at 1 and 12 months. Other outcome measurements used were Global functioning axis V (GAF), psychological symptoms (SCL-90, GSI) and scale of suicide ideation (SSI). Results Of 178 patients who were followed up, 140 had been rated by CAN at both 1 and 12 months. Changes of needs did not differ between the randomised groups. At 1 month the patients had a mean number of 5.1 ± 2.4 needs and 2.4 ± 1.5 of these were considered as unmet. The most frequently reported needs concerned health aspects, basic needs and social needs. At 12 months needs concerning health aspects were significantly reduced, while basic needs and social needs were not. Changes of GAF explained 21 % and changes of GSI 4 % of the variance of the reduction of needs. Conclusions After 12 months, needs in health aspects, basic needs and social needs were still common. A structured evaluation of the patient's needs seems to be helpful when planning treatment after a suicide attempt.