Discharge from mental health service admissions as a short-term causal risk factor for suicide: A case-crossover study

Our findings are consistent with a causal effect of discharge on short-term suicide risk, under the assumptions described and controlling for confounders not addressed in prior studies. Recognizing this risk as causal enhances our understanding of the suicides that happen shortly after discharge and emphasizes the importance of identifying realistic targets for intervention in the post discharge period, which can then be evaluated through clinical trials.