Đặc điểm hành vi tự sát ở người bệnh rối loạn tâm thần và hành vi do sử dụng rượu tại Viện Sức khỏe tâm thần

Abstract

Objective: To describe the characteristics of suicidal behavior in patients with mental and behavioral disorders due to alcohol use at the National Institute of Mental Health, Bach Mai Hospital. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 150 patients diagnosed with mental and behavioral disorders due to alcohol use. Patients were treated at the National Institute of Mental Health, Bach Mai Hospital, between November 2025 and April 2026. Results: All participants were male, with a mean age of 52.59 ± 9.87 years old and a mean age of initial alcohol use at 24.81 ± 7.87 years old. The lifetime prevalence of suicidal behavior was 32%, with the majority presenting with suicidal ideation only. Approximately one-third reported ideation occurring daily or nearly every day, 41.7% experienced episodes lasting more than four hours, 31.3% were able to control ideation only with considerable difficulty, and 79.2% identified the cessation of psychological pain as the primary motivation for suicidal intent. The most frequently reported protective factors against suicide were perceived responsibility toward family members or others (62.5%), recognition of reasons and meaning for living (41.7%), religious or moral beliefs (37.5%), and fear of death (33.3%). Conclusion: Suicidal behavior constitutes a clinically significant comorbidity in mental and behavioral disorders due to alcohol use, with a lifetime prevalence markedly exceeding the general population. The characteristics of daily ideation frequency, episode duration exceeding four hours, and impaired ability to control suicidal thoughts reflect the persistent and intrusive nature of suicidal ideation in this population. The predominant motivation of escaping unbearable psychological pain is consistent with the escape theory of suicide. Nevertheless, the identification of protective factors suggests that patients retain meaningful reasons for living, which may serve as therapeutic anchors for targeted suicide prevention and intervention strategies.