DEMOGRAPHIC AND CLINICAL-FEATURES OF ADOLESCENT PARASUICIDES

The demographic, ethnic and clinical characteristics of 102 adolescent s admitted to the Port-of Spain General Hospital over a 10-month perio d because of parasuicide were studied. The estimated rate of attempted suicide among adolescents was 94 per 100,000 of the hospital catchmen t population. Ninety per cent of the sample were females. Fifteen per cent had previously attempted suicide. Twenty-five per cent were clini cally depressed, 22% had adjustment reactions, and in 49% no mental il lness was detected. In 50% of cases, no further treatment was necessar y after the first psychiatric interview. Intra-family conflicts were t he most frequent reasons given for the attempted suicides. Girls of Ea st Indian origin attempted suicide more frequently than those of Afric an origin. Adolescents of mixed racial backgrounds attempted suicide l ess frequently than those of either African or East Indian origins. Th e findings of the study suggest a need for the adolescent psychiatric services to be upgraded, and for a review of the hospital policy of ad mitting all parasuicides of whatever degree as this is resulting in un necessary and costly utilization of hospital beds.