European Journal of Internal Medicine
Volume 18, Issue 6 , Pages 453-455 , October 2007

The internet and suicide: A double-edged tool

  • J. Tam

      Affiliations

    • Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust, Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, NG17 4JL, UK
  • ,
  • W.S. Tang

      Affiliations

    • Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust, UK
  • ,
  • D.J.S. Fernando

      Affiliations

    • Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust, Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, NG17 4JL, UK
    • Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust, UK
    • University of Sheffield, UK
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust, Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, NG17 4JL, UK. Tel.: +44 1623622515x3871; fax: +44 1623 672332.

Received 5 February 2007 ,Revised 26 March 2007 ,Accepted 19 April 2007.

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PII: S0953-6205(07)00141-0

doi: 10.1016/j.ejim.2007.04.009

European Journal of Internal Medicine
Volume 18, Issue 6 , Pages 453-455 , October 2007