The Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership commissions the Mental Health Clinical Outcome Review Programme, National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness, on behalf of NHS England, NHS Wales, the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorate, the Northern Ireland Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, and the States of Jersey and Guernsey.

No abstract

Studies on suicide by recently discharged mental health patients have reported a high number of deaths in the early post-discharge period, which has led to recommendations of follow-up within 7 days (d). More recently, the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Safety in Mental Health (NCISH) proposed a more "stringent" follow-up period of 2-3 days (d) after discharge. Patients who died within this early time-frame post-discharge were more likely to die before the follow-up appointment occurred. They more often had a primary diagnosis of a personality disorder, self-discharged, and had a higher frequency of death by jumping from a height or in front of the vehicle compared to later deaths. This study provides practical implications for post-discharge management and safety planning. Clinicians should be aware of (1) the increased risk of immediate suicide in the postdischarge period by people with a diagnosis of personality disorder, (2) immediate suicide risk in patients who initiate their own discharge, and (3) the increased risk of death by jumping from a height or in front of the vehicle in the immediate post-discharge period. Our findings support the recent recommendation from NCISH that follow-up should occur within 3 d of discharge from in-patient care.