Suicidality and self-rated health among outpatients with depression and schizophrenia

Abstract

Background Mental illness is a major risk factor for suicide, while adequate treatment can reduce this risk. For improving effectiveness of treatment it is important to understand prevalence and relationships between symptoms, suicidality and health. This knowledge might also facilitate clearer goals for health psychologists providing interventions in clinical setting. Aim of this analysis was to determine prevalence of suicidality among patients with schizophrenia and depression, and disclose relationships between depressive symptoms, self rated health (SRH) and suicidality. Methods Data was collected within an ongoing Quality of life project in Kaunas region (Lithuania), conducted together with regional municipality and social partners. For this analysis data of outpatients with depression (male N40, female N198) and schizophrenia (male N64, female N102) were used, focusing on 3 interrelated items of suicidality (thoughts, intentions, attempts), two depressive items (sadness and lack of energy) and SRH. Contingency tables and chi square were used for statistical analysis. Findings Suicidal thoughts, intentions and attempts were more prevalent among outpatients with schizophrenia, than depression. Lower SRH was associated with higher prevalence of intentions and attempts among female and suicidal attempts among men. Sadness and lack of energy both had a statistically significant relationship with suicidality. Discussion Prevalence of suicidality among mentally ill and strong relationship with symptoms of sadness and lack of energy provide evidence and direction for the psychological interventions within a multifaceted psychiatric treatment.