Reported parasuicide in Jordan 1980 to 1985 - calls for urgent re-organisation of psychiatric services

ABSTRACT

A retrospective analysis of all parasuicide patients [n = 1978] admitted to general hospitals and reported to the police for the period from 1980 to 1985 confirms that the sociodemographic profiles of Jordanian parasuicide patients are analogous to the profiles of parasuicide patients in the West. Although the parasuicide rate in Jordan is substantially lower than the rates reported in the West the rate amongst students is substantially higher. Hardly any of the subjects studied received a psychiatric assessment and the fate of those at high suicide risk was unclear. The present situation calls for urgent re-organisation of psychiatric services in Jordan