Major traumatic injury can increase suicide risk
Findings of a recent study suggest that a major traumatic injury - such as car crashes and falls - could increase the risk of mental health diagnoses and even suicide . The research has been published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). "Major trauma was associated with a 40 per cent increased rate of hospital admission for 1 or more mental health diagnoses," writes Dr Christopher Evans of Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, with co-authors. "The most common mental health diagnoses were alcohol abuse, other drug abuse disorders and major depressive disorders." There is little evidence on the link between major injury and later mental health issues. This large study, based on more than 19 000 patients in Ontario, contributes to the literature on this important topic. Most participants who had experienced major trauma were male (70.7 per cent), lived in urban areas (82.6 per cent) and had accidental (89 per cent) rather than in
