Injury hospitalization and risks for subsequent self-injury and suicide: A national study from New Zealand

Objectives. Risks for suicide and nonfatal self-injury hospitalizations associated with previous injury hospitalizations were investigated in a nationwide retrospective cohort study conducted in New Zealand. Methods. Linked data from all New Zealand public hospitals were used to identify individuals with injury hospitalizations. Participants were followed for 12 months. Results. Significantly increased age- and sex-adjusted relative risks for suicide were associated with previous hospitalization for self-injury, injuries of undetermined causes, and assault. Also, elevated risks were associated with these causes of hospitalization in the case of subsequent self-injury hospitalizations. Conclusions: Results indicate that identifiable subgroups of individuals hospitalized for injuries are at marked risk for serious suicidal behavior and suggest the potential of targeted suicide prevention for these individuals.