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Suicide is defined as death caused by an act of self-harm where the individual’s intent was to end their life.
Suicide is a major public health issue, consistently ranking as one of the leading causes of death worldwide.
Age and gender differences
Mental health correlation
Suicide rates are also high in vulnerable groups who face discrimination, including refugees, migrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, and prisoners.
Suicide is a complex event influenced by multiple factors, including genetics, environment, and psychological/behavioural factors.
Suicide is not an isolated event; it exists on a spectrum of suicidal behaviours. For every suicide, there are numerous other attempts and self-harm events:
Suicide is diagnosed through post-mortem confirmation that death resulted from an intentional act of self-harm with lethal intent.
Managing a suicidal patient requires a non-judgmental, compassionate approach, involving:
Stigma and barriers to treatment
Stigma around mental health and suicide often prevents individuals from seeking help. Many fear being judged or fail to recognise the severity of their condition, which leads to delayed or missed treatment.
The impact of suicide extends beyond the emotional toll on loved ones. It also has significant economic consequences due to lost productivity, medical expenses, and the costs associated with caring for those who survive suicide attempts.
Predicting long-term outcomes for those who attempt suicide is challenging – and there is surprisingly little long-term data.
Warning signs
Restricting access to common means of suicide (firearms, pesticides, medications) has been shown to reduce suicide rates. Promoting safe storage and regulation of these items is a crucial prevention measure.
Methods and rates of suicide vary across different regions and cultures. For example, some countries may have higher rates of hanging, while others see more deaths from firearms or poisoning.
Parasuicide |
Suicide |
|
Trend |
No change |
Increasing in males |
Sex |
Females > males |
Males > females |
Age |
Below 45 years |
Above 45 |
Marital status: |
Divorced, single |
Div, single & widowed |
Social class: |
Class V |
No clear pattern |
Urban/rural: |
Urban > rural |
Rural/urban |
Rural/urban |
Unemployed |
Unemployed and retired |
Seasonal variation: |
None |
Spring peak |
Broken home |
Common |
Common |
Physical illness |
No association |
Associaton |
Psychiatric diagnosis |
Situational, reaction, depression, alcoholism |
Affective disorder |
Personality type: |
Psychopathy common |
None specific |
Suicide is a serious public health issue, but with early intervention, support, and mental health care, many lives can be saved. Recognising warning signs and providing compassionate care are key components in preventing suicide.
We have described 10 medical revision notes about suicide. We hope it has been helpful. Please seek help now if you are having suicidal thoughts. At MyHSN, we care about you.
Suicide – getting help (NHS England)
Suicide – getting help (NHS Scotland)
Review article: Soreff, 2023