Profile of the Catalonia Suicide Risk Code patients

The Suicide Risk Code of Catalonia was activated for 637 patients between 2016 and 2017

In 2015, the Suicide Risk Code protocol was implemented in Catalonia, in the absence of a national suicide prevention plan which has three phases: 1) early detection and initial screening for suicide risk, 2) specialized clinical care and evaluation, and 3) preventive follow-up.

This code is based on a set of preventive and assistance actions focused on people at risk of suicide after a first contact with psychiatric emergencies (due to suicidal ideation or suicide attempt), improving the accessibility and follow-up of these patients in public health services, with the aim of reducing suicide mortality and preventing new attempts.

After detecting a person at risk, specialists activate the suicide risk code. The patient is treated after being discharged from the hospital, preferably by the outpatient service. In addition, the patient is followed up for at least 12 months to reassess the risk of suicide.

In the study by Silvia Gayete et al, a description of the characteristics of patients for whom the risk code was activated between 2016 and 2017 was carried out. The aim of the study was to define a profile of higher risk in which special attention should be paid in the task of suicide prevention and health promotion.

During 2016 and 2017, the suicide risk code was activated for 637 patients. After conducting the relevant analyses, the authors determined a user profile. The patients were mostly women between 40 and 50 years of age with stressful life events that were linked to a suicide attempt. In addition, they Observed that around 4 out of 10 of the cases had a mental disorder already diagnosed, predominantly affective disorders (i.e., major depressive disorder, dysthymia and bipolar disorder).

By carrying out this type of study, it is possible to identify vulnerable populations that require greater attention from health services. The Risk Code protocol of Catalonia is an example of the measures implemented at the regional level, in the absence of national actions.

Reference to original paper: Gayete, S., Giné, A., Marcos, S., Vidal, M. A., Ventura, C., & Ochoa, S. (2022). Sociodemographic and Clinical Profile of People Attended in the “Catalonia Suicide Risk Code” Program". Actas Esp Psiquiatr, 50(2). https://www.actaspsiquiatria.es/repositorio//25/136/ENG/25-136-ENG-114-119-525433.pdf