Gender and age differences among youth, in utilization of mental health services in the year preceding suicide in Taiwan

Hsiu Ju Chang, Yuen-Liang Lai, Chia Ming Chang, Ching Chiu Kao, Meei Ling Shyu, Ming Been Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to explore gender and age differences in the use of medical services during the year preceding suicide. Data were obtained from the mortality dataset of Department of Health and National Health Insurance Database. Included in the sample were 862 persons aged 12-24 years who committed suicide in Taiwan between 2001 and 2004. We compared the records of medical service utilization of adolescents (ages 12-18 years) with young adults (ages 19-24 years). Persons in both age groups contacted general practitioners more often than other types of medical providers in the year preceding suicide, with the exception of the month before suicide. Females made greater use of medical services than males in both age groups. Suicide prevention strategies should increase the emphasis in training non-psychiatric medical practitioners to identify and treat young persons at suicide risk.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)771-780
Number of pages10
JournalCommunity Mental Health Journal
Volume48
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2012

Keywords

  • Adolescent
  • Medical service utilization
  • Suicide
  • Young adult

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Gender and age differences among youth, in utilization of mental health services in the year preceding suicide in Taiwan'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this