Parasuicide: features of repetition and the implications for intervention

Parasuicide is one of the commonest causes of admission to medical wards in the UK, in recent years totalling up to 100000 cases annually. Of these it is estimated that at least a third have reported a previous episode of self-harm and that 15-25% will repeat within three months (Buglass & Horton, 1974a; Morgan et al. 1976; Bancroft & Marzack, 1977). The public health impact of parasuicide is therefore substantial: the burden on casualty, general medical and psychiatry services is considerable (Pallis et al. 1975) and the risk of suicide is high (Rygnestad, 1988).