Research Note: An Attempt to Classify Adolescent Parasuicide Attempters

Correspondence to David Gilliland, Principal Social Worker, The Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, 180 Falls Road, Belfast BT12 6BE. Summary This paper examines some of the literature available on thesubject of adolescent suicide attempts. It discusses the extentto which it is possible to identify sub-groupings within groupingsof young people who took overdoses. It suggests on the basisof the study undertaken (and in reference to other studies)that it may be possible to identify sub-groupings. The paperalso discusses in detail a study carried out examining characteristicsof two groups of young people—one who had been admittedto hospital following a single overdose attempt, and a secondgroup who had several admissions to hospital following repeatedoverdose attempts. The implications of these findings are discussedin terms of the possibilities of identifying young people whoare at an increased risk of repeating an overdose attempt, andthe issues for practitioners and service managers are identified.