Parasuicide: A Singapore perspective

Abstract

Objectives. This study was undertaken to determine whether there were ethnic and social variations in parasuicide in the population of Singapore. Methods. All hospital records of parasuicide from a teaching hospital between 1991 and 1995 were reviewed. Demographic data, reasons precipitating the suicide attempt and the psychiatric diagnoses were recorded. Altogether 814 patients were identified. Results. There was a general upward trend of cases admitted from 1991 to 1995. Young females appear to be the most vulnerable accounting for 60.5% of the study population. The Indian community has significantly higher risk of parasuicide compared to the Chinese and Malays. Overdose of medication was the most common method with paracetamol being implicated in 48.1% of all overdoses. Conclusion. Differences in parasuicide rates amongst the three ethnic communities can be attributed to various socio-cultural factors. The phenomenon of parasuicide is of increasing importance as it particularly involves adolescents and young adults. Suicide prevention will continue to present a challenge for mental health professionals in the foreseeable future.