ABSTRACT
A survey of Mental health and well-being in England (2014) found one in five adults in England report experiencing suicidal thoughts at some point in their lifetime. Kessler et al found 13.5% of participants in a national survey of 5,877 people reported lifetime ideation, 3.9% a plan and 4.6% an attempt. However, rates of death by suicide increase in those who make repeated and life-threatening attempts. Individuals are at the highest risk of repeating a suicide attempt during the first three months following their first suicide attempt. The World Health Organization’s World Mental Health Survey Initiative studied 84,850 people from the general population in 28 countries to identify any association between suicidal thoughts and plans and suicidal behaviour. Rehearsing suicidal behaviour can lower the barrier to a suicide plan, thereby increasing a patient’s resolve and risk. Joiner argues that engaging in behavioural or mental suicide rehearsals increases the risk of suicide.
