Critical Periods for Increased Mortality After Discharge From Inpatient Mental Health Units: Opportunities for Prevention

What is it about?

• Findings from the Veterans Health Administration demonstrate that the first 1-3 months after a hospitalization for a mental health condition represents a critical period marked by increased all-cause mortality relative to the rest of the year • In addition to the increased rates of suicide in the period after hospital discharge that have been previously reported, there are increased rates of death from other external causes (overdoses, accidents, and injuries) • Increases in natural cause mortality after hospital discharge appear to be limited to deaths in patients with dementia • The increased mortality from suicide, overdoses, accidents, and injuries after hospital discharge point to possibilities for prevention

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