Out-patient follow-up of those who have attempted suicide: fact or fantasy?

46% of patients who had attempted suicide and were referred to the out-patient clinic of the Royal Adelaide Hospital failed to attend. Similar findings have been reported from other centres. Though it is not known why this is so, tentative speculation is possible. Since it has been shown that persons who attempt suicide are more at risk for suiciding in the future, it seems surprising that their non-attendance has not been more fully investigated.