Criminalization of suicide attempts is an archaic barrier to suicide prevention. Globally, clinical profiles of prosecuted suicide attempters are an under-researched area. This retrospective study aims to describe the clinical profiles of individuals who were charged for attempted suicide and subsequently sent for criminal responsibility and fitness to plead evaluation in a forensic psychiatric unit in Malaysia from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2019. We identified 22 cases who were mostly adult males (90.9%). Seventy-three percent have a psychiatric disorder. Mood disorders were more prevalent (32%) followed by psychotic disorders and substance use disorders. For most of these individuals, this was the first contact with any form of mental health services and 41% defaulted their treatment before arrest. This sample illustrates a vulnerable group who has been disengaged with mental healthcare. Future research is warranted to further investigate mechanisms that are effective in addressing unmet needs of persons in suicidal crisis as opposed to utilizing the criminal justice pathway.

中文翻译：

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马来西亚法医精神病患者样本中的未遂自杀和刑事司法系统

自杀未遂的刑事定罪是预防自杀的一个古老障碍。在全球范围内，被起诉的企图自杀者的临床特征是一个研究不足的领域。这项回顾性研究旨在描述 2008 年 1 月 1 日至 2019 年 12 月 31 日期间在马来西亚法医精神病院被指控企图自杀并随后被送交刑事责任和是否适合进行辩护评估的个人的临床概况。我们确定了 22病例多为成年男性（90.9%）。73% 的人患有精神疾病。情绪障碍更为普​​遍（32%），其次是精神障碍和物质使用障碍。对于这些人中的大多数人来说，这是第一次接触任何形式的心理健康服务，41% 的人在被捕前默认了他们的治疗。该样本说明了一个与精神保健无关的弱势群体。未来的研究需要进一步调查有效解决自杀危机中未满足需求的机制，而不是利用刑事司法途径。