SUICIDE CONTAGION AMONG PSYCHIATRIC-INPATIENTS

Until now only some individual suicide epidemics in psychiatric hospitals have been reported, and the quantitative effect of suicide contagion on inpatient suicide rates seems to be very limited. On the other hand, an increase in inpatient suicide rates has been reported in many countries, and suicide contagion may thus have growing importance in the future. The author reviews first briefly the literature on suicide contagion among psychiatric inpatients. The factors predisposing to suidice contagion relating to the hospital, staff, and patients are discussed. Finally, some practical measures for the prevention of suicide contagion in psychiatric wards are suggested.