Characteristics of hospitalized clients who were referred for counselling because of attempted suicide
were compared to those of hospitalized clients who were referred for counselling for reasons other than
attempted suicide in the four major hospitals in Fiji. The prevalence of warning signs in clients referred for
attempted suicide was explored in order to better understand the factors associated with attempted suicide in Fiji,
thus providing information to inform clinical practice in Fiji. Binary logistic regression and multivariable
regression statistics were used to assess the relationships between socio-demographic characteristics and referral
group. Of the 5581 hospitalized cases that were referred for general counselling 2.7% were referred for
attempted suicide. Those in the attempted suicide group were more likely to be non-Indigenous Fijian race, male,
younger age, unmarried and have higher education. The most predominant triggers identified by those
attempting suicide were: loss, including interpersonal, identity and financial as well as family instability. Over
half of the people who had attempted suicide in this sample acknowledged having low self-control, which was
consist across age, race and gender. Over 10% acknowledged a previous attempt. There were significant
differences in the presence of warning signs between the beginning and end of counselling. Attempted suicide is
an important public health concern in Fiji. Specific demographic and clinical predictors may assist counsellors
in targeting most those most at risk.