Black suicide attempters in 1980: a preventive focus.

A retrospective chart review of black suicide attempters was completed to describe the sample in comparison to prior studies and to develop preventive strategies. This sample of 56 black suicide attempters was composed of 17 males and 39 females, a ratio of 1:2.3. Female attempters were younger, 54% had made a prior attempt and had a diagnosis of either affective illness (33%) or an adjustment reaction with depressive features (31%). Male attempters were older, 76% had a prior psychiatric history, and 59% had a psychotic diagnosis. The potential for life-threatening behavior in psychotic black male patients was noted. The necessity of monitoring the access to medication by stressed impulsive youth was emphasized. As significant others involved in the stressers that precipitated the attempt accompanied the patient to the emergency room (ER), crisis intervention in the ER with the significant other and/or family members was identified as an important strategy.