The project is divided into three sub-projects:

Objectives:

- A registry study of suicide attempts in Flanders using IPEO

The first sub-project involves recording the frequency of suicide attempts and the characteristics of suicide attempts – and of those who attempt suicide – who are admitted to the emergency departments of Flemish general hospitals and who are assessed and evaluated using the IPEO (= Instrument for Psychosocial Assessment and Care of Suicide Attempters (= semi-structured interview developed on behalf of the project ‘Psychosocial assessment and care of suicide attempters in a general hospital’, funded by the Flemish Government)). The main objective of this research component is the recording of all data relating to the suicide attempt and the suicide attempter collected via the IPEO. Based on this recording, comprehensive information can be gathered regarding suicide attempters in Flanders and the suicidal process preceding the attempt. This will involve a thorough psychosocial assessment of the following characteristics: the reason/motive of the suicide attempt; the degree of impulsivity with which the attempt was made; a further assessment of the severity of the suicide attempt; history of suicidal behaviour; problems experienced; substance abuse; the presence of suicidal thoughts or plans following the suicide attempt; a possible psychiatric diagnosis that may be made; the degree of hopelessness experienced by the person who attempted suicide; and the care pathway for the suicide attempt (did they seek help beforehand from a GP or mental health services, what is being planned by the A&E department, etc.). Based on this data regarding the characteristics of suicide attempters and their attempts, a picture can be drawn of the prevention options in terms of means (=method), impulsivity, severity, diagnosis, and the help that can be sought in advance.  Through quality controls in hospitals, involving a detailed analysis of admissions to the A&E department, the quality of the recording of suicide attempts and the use of the IPEO can be evaluated.  

- Registration study of suicide attempts among children and young people in Flanders using KIPEO

The second part consists of a record of the frequency of suicide attempts and the characteristics of suicide attempts – and those who attempt them – among children and young people in Flanders using the KIPEO (= Instrument for Psychosocial Evaluation and Care of Suicide Attempters – Child and Adolescent Version (= a semi-structured interview developed for children and young people who have attempted suicide, commissioned by the project ‘Psychosocial assessment and care of suicide attempters in a general hospital’, funded by the Flemish Government)).

This concerns both children and young people who are admitted to the emergency departments of Flemish general hospitals following a suicide attempt and who are assessed and evaluated using the KIPEO, as well as children and young people who, following a suicide attempt, are (further) supported and cared for via CLBs or CGGs or other specific child and/or youth services.

The main objective of this research component is the recording of all data relating to the suicide attempt and the young person who attempted suicide, as collected via the KIPEO. Based on this recording, comprehensive information can be gathered regarding young people who have attempted suicide in Flanders and the suicidal process preceding the attempt. This will involve a thorough psychosocial assessment of the following characteristics: the trigger/motive of the young person who attempted suicide; the method used in the attempt; a further assessment of the severity of the suicide attempt; history of suicidal behaviour; problems experienced; substance abuse; the presence of suicidal thoughts or plans following the suicide attempt; the young person’s coping behaviour; self-harming behaviour; the degree of hopelessness experienced by the young person who has attempted suicide; and the care pathway following the suicide attempt (whether help was sought beforehand, what further care is planned, etc.). Based on these data regarding the characteristics of young people who have attempted suicide and their attempts, a picture can be drawn of the prevention options for this vulnerable group.

- Registration of suicide attempts within the Ghent region

The third part involves the continued recording of the numbers and characteristics of suicide attempters and their attempts in the emergency departments of general hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, and the prison within a clearly defined geographical area, namely the Ghent region. The aim of this sub-project is to collect accurate epidemiological data on the prevalence of suicide attempts in the general population of a geographically defined area.

Until the IPEO is implemented in all hospitals within a geographically defined area, a different project, albeit similar