SummaryBackground. Attempted suicides and suicides are becoming pertinent social phenomena in Albania, with increasing trend in the last years, exceeding the road traffic accident numbers. Our objective was to examine suicide attempts trends among Albanian children and adolescents. Methods. We conducted a retrospective analysis of standardized suicide attempts rates in Statistic Department at University Hospital Center "Mother Theresa"; epidemiology data for the period spanning from 2006 to 2012. We analyzed the data by age, sex and by suicide attempts method over time for two age groups: 10-14 year old (children) and 15-19 year old (adolescents). Results. We found an average annual increase of the suicide attempts rate for children and adolescents (p<0.001), but stratification by age and sex showed significant variation. By comparing the two age groups it came out that the suicidal phenomena is more present at adolescence age (p<0.001). According to the statistic data and by analyzing the cases on yearly bases it resulted that female gender is more attempt to commit suicide that male gender, with a significant statistical variation of (p<0.001). From the study it was noted that the suicidal attempt methods, in the most of cases, were drug overdose (97.6%) and 2.4% hang themselves (suffocation) or cut their vein. Conclusions. The increasing cases of suicidal tendency among children and adolescents necessitate further studies to identify the causes and risk factors, and to develop suitable preventive programs.

PurposeMedia reports and the official statistics published after the war in Kosova demonstrate a rising trend of suicide in general population. In the past in our clinic have been little interest in whether suicidal risk and behavior has been documented and whether these signs of risk and suicide behavior is associated with Mental disorder and PTSD.Methods134 offenders hospitalized in period time 2007–2009 were included. We used DSM-IV criteria, SBQ-R and assessed risk of suicide factors.Results31,9% were diagnosed with personality disorder, 21,3% were psychotic, 8,5% were drug abusers, 21,3 were depressed with PTSD signs of trauma war, and 17% of them without diagnosis. Risk factors such are abnormal behavior, isolation, hopelessness, depression or other mental disorder, family problems or personal loss and drug or alcohol intoxication were important risk factors for suicidal behavior in 73% of them.12,8 % reported attempt of suicide, 14,9% of them reported that have had a plan to kill themselves, 40% reported that have told someone that are going to commit suicide, and 23,4% reported that they are likely to attempt suicide someday. Suicidal thoughts and attempts were commoner in forensic setting than in general population and were significantly associated with Personality disorder, Psychosis and PTSD.ConclusionSuicide behavior and its significant association with mental disorder play an important role and should include training programs in recognition of offenders at high risk behavior and preventive programme management in forensic settings in our country.

BackgroundForensic Psychiatry and Mental Health Service as new field in our country needs strategies for management and rehabilitation programs.The aimTo evaluate socio-demographic characteristics and prevalence of psychiatric diagnosis of inpatients hospitalized in last three year period time from January 2009 up to December 2011. Specific objectives of this study were to identify the rehabilitation programs of treatment and specific training needs of mental health professionals according to our results findings.MethodsThis retrospective study used the method of socio-demographic data collection, review and study of documented diagnosis based on ICD-10 criteria for mental disorders and Structured Clinical Interview (SCID), data records by court and other hetero-anamnesis data of all forensic inpatients who underwent psychiatric forensic evaluation and assessment according to court request. Descriptive approach for analyses was used.ResultsSubjects were referred either directly from prison (23,2%) or from court (76,8%) for forensic psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis and treatment. The majority of offenders (85,7%) were under trial, and physical threatening being the most common charge than domestic violence and murder. Prevalence of psychiatric diagnosis was 94,6%, the most common being psychosis 69,1%. Drug abuse and personality disorders including high-risk behaviors were also common.ConclusionRehabilitation programs of treatment and management with specific focus on psychotic disorders, sever personality disorder and drug abuse are needed. Establishment of Forensic Mental Health System in Kosovo will fulfill the implementation of legal framework including the rights and human treatment of all mentally ill offenders.

Chronic illnesses such as HF may precipitate depression. In either case, there are both behavioral and pathophysiologic mechanisms by which depressive symptoms may lead to adverse outcomes in patients with HF.

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