Copyright
©2013 Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Psychiatr. Jun 22, 2013; 3(2): 34-40
Published online Jun 22, 2013. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v3.i2.34
Published online Jun 22, 2013. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v3.i2.34
Treatment priority for suicide ideation and behaviours at an Australian emergency department
Allison Milner, Kairi Kõlves, Keili Kõlves, Diego De Leo, Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, National Centre of Excellence in Suicide Prevention, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland 4122, Australia
Beverley Gladman, Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, The Park, Wacol, Queensland 4076, Australia
Author contributions: All authors contributed to this work; Milner A, Kõlves K and De Leo D designed the research; Milner A, Kõlves K, Gladman B and Kõlves K performed the research; Milner A analyzed the data; Milner A, Kõlves K and De Leo D wrote the paper; all authors contributed to the final draft of this paper.
Correspondence to: Diego De Leo, DSc, Professor, Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, National Centre of Excellence in Suicide Prevention, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention, Griffith University, Mt Gravatt Campus, 176 Messines Ridge Rd, Brisbane, Queensland 4122, Australia. d.deleo@griffith.edu.au
Telephone: +61-7-37353379 Fax: +61-7-37353450
Received: March 1, 2013
Revised: May 13, 2013
Accepted: May 16, 2013
Published online: June 22, 2013
Revised: May 13, 2013
Accepted: May 16, 2013
Published online: June 22, 2013
Core Tip
Core tip: Emergency department (ED) staff judge the urgency of cases based on demographic factors such as age and gender, as well as method of non-fatal suicidal behaviour. Those who overdose on drugs are often prioritised for treatment sooner than those who presented after self-cutting or suicide ideation. These results highlight the need for specialised interventions for persons presenting to an ED for suicidality.