Surveillance of suicidal behaviour by the Belgian Network of Sentinel General Practices: trends over two decades

Objectives Drawing on new (2011-12) and previous (1993-5, 2000-1 and 2007-8) data on suicidal behaviour reported by the Belgian Network of Sentinel General Practices (SGP), we describe trends in the key characteristics of suicidal events. We also examine patient age-related trends in the on-site attendance of sentinel general practitioners (GPs) as first professional caregivers following suicidal behaviour and the accuracy of suicide incidence estimates. Outcome measures: Patient age and gender, suicide methods, whether the GP was the first caregiver on-site, whether the patient was new, and the outcome of the suicidal behaviour (fatal or not) were recorded on standard registration forms. The accuracy of suicide incidence estimates was tested against suicide mortality statistics.