Subsequent deaths after attempted suicide by drug overdose in the western region of Adelaide, 1976.

A five-year follow-up of 262 patients in the western region of Adelaide, who attempted suicide in 1976 by taking an overdose of a drug, showed that seven of these subsequently died by suicide and two from other causes. Six of the nine patients who died were migrants. Drug overdoses were most likely to be taken by young women from lower socioeconomic groups. A background of marital separation was common and, although migrants as a whole were underrepresented, German migrants were significantly more likely, while Italian and Greek migrants were significantly less likely, to take drug overdoses. The data suggest that psychiatric assessment is useful in reducing the likelihood of subsequent suicide; general physicians should select patients for further assessment.