Several suicide prevention measures in mental health services are implied by these findings, including measures to improve compliance and prevent loss of contact with services. Inpatient facilities should remove structural difficulties in observing patients and fixtures that can be used in hanging. Prevention of suicide after discharge may require earlier follow up in the community. Better suicide prevention in psychiatric patients is likely to need measures to improve the safety of mental health services as a whole, rather than specific measures for people known to be at high risk.

These preferences concur with emerging evidence on psychosocial interventions in dementia. Support with personal feelings, information and social engagement are important components. Additionally, knowledge of preferences of people with dementia and their carers can identify other attributes that may be important to effectiveness in 'living well' but for which there remains limited evidence.

Objectives To estimate the rate of mental disorder in those convicted of homicide and to examine the social and clinical characteristics of those with a history of contact with psychiatric services. Design National clinical survey. Setting England and Wales. Subjects Eighteen month sample of people convicted of homicide. Main outcome measures Offence related and clinical information collected from psychiatric court reports on people convicted of homicide. Detailed clinical data collected on those with a history of contact with psychiatric services.