Hunt et al, 2014

This study aimed to compare the number and rate of suicides among patients under the care of crisis resolution home treatment (CRHT) teams with those of psychiatric in-patients and assess the clinical features of these two groups.

Patients under the care of CRHT made up 12% of all patient suicides. The number of suicides in patients under the care of CRHT increased over the study period and were twice as frequent as in-patient suicides. However, because of the growing number of patients under the care of CRHT, the average rate of suicide fell by 18% between 2003 and 2010/2011. Almost half (44%) of patients under the care of CRHT who died by suicide lived alone and half had had a recent adverse life event. A third had died within 3 months of discharge from psychiatric inpatient care.

Mental health services should consider the safety of patients under the care of CRHT and whether CRHT is appropriate, especially for high-risk patients.

Read the full paper:

• Safety of patients under the care of crisis resolution home treatment services in England: a retrospective analysis of suicide trends from 2003 to 2011 (Lancet)

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