Social support among European suicide attempters

In order to measure social support among suicide attempters, an instrument was especially designed to be included in the follow-up interview study bei ng part of the WHO/Euro Multicentre Study on Parasuicide which is carried o ut in cooperation with EC Concerted Action on Attempted Suicide. In this pa per, which is to be the first in a series, the theories behind the design a nd the methodology are discussed, and some general results presented. Judge d by the level of the need for support, there are some differences between the 10 European areas under study, but judged by the individual's perceptio n of to what degree his needs are met, somewhat to our surprise the majorit y of the suicide attempters in the various areas under study agree in feeli ng that their needs for support are met to a great extent.