SUICIDE AND PSYCHOSIS: Comparing the Characteristics of Patients Who Died by Suicide Following Recent Onset and Longer Duration of Schizophrenia and Other Primary Psychotic Disorders, 2008-2021

Though all patients had contact with mental health services in the 12 months prior to death, patients with a recent onset of schizophrenia and other primary psychotic disorders were more commonly in recent contact with services at the time of death. They had fewer social and behavioral factors known to be common to suicide, suggesting lives recently disrupted by illness. Services should provide intensive support for patients who have been recently diagnosed, encouraging engagement and monitoring for deteriorating social factors.