Citation

Pompili M. Crisis 2015; 36(4): 227-230.

Affiliation

Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Suicide Prevention Center, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, International Association for Suicide Prevention, Publisher Hogrefe Publishing)

DOI

10.1027/0227-5910/a000327

PMID

26440618

Abstract

What are the needs of suicidology today? We should not be surprised by the simplistic and obvious statement that we do not fully understand what is going on inside the minds of suicidal individuals. No doubt, we still partially manage the unmet needs (e.g., feelings of entrapment, defeat, helplessness) of those who are suicidal. In the face of extreme anguish, vulnerable individuals often conclude that there is no escape short of suicide. As mental health professionals, we offer support to such suicidal people, but are we really able to provide the help that they need? To some extent, our view is optimistic and we cannot ignore important advancements in the field of suicide prevention, yet there is a gap in the communication of human suffering.

The saying "know thyself" (or know yourself) may refer by extension to the ideal of understanding human behavior, morals, and thought, because ultimately to understand oneself is to understand other humans as well. It may be easier to conclude that suicide is linked to risk factors and specific psychiatric diagnoses. However, neither risk factors nor diagnostic labels are important in reducing the suffering that contributes to suicidal thoughts and behaviors....

Language: en