Citation

Ullah I, Tauqir N, Shoib S, Parmar A. Indian J. Psychol. Med. 2022; 44(1): 89-90.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Indian Psychiatric Society, South Zone, Publisher Medknow Publications)

DOI

10.1177/02537176211029196

PMID

35509657

PMCID

PMC9022927

Abstract

Suicide is a major public health problem throughout the world. The worldwide age-standardized suicide rate in 2016 was 13.5 deaths per 100,000 in males and 7.5 deaths per 100,000 in females. With variation in suicidal rate, the factors influencing suicidal thoughts and suicidal behavior do not remain the same everywhere.1 A combination of individual, relationship, community, and societal factors contribute to the risk of suicide.2 Durkheim gave a normative theory of suicide and proposed four different types of suicides depending upon social integration: egoistic, altruistic, anomic, and fatalistic. On the other hand, George Engels reported the biopsychosocial, environmental, and sociocultural risk factors for suicide.

Differentiating clearly between the terms suicide ideation and suicide attempt is necessary when it comes to suicide prevention. It is important to recognize suicidal ideations as a heterogeneous phenomenon. It is not appropriate to place ideation and attempt under one heading. Also, there is no clear association between one's endorsement of suicidal ideations and suicidal attempts.3 Most people would never attempt suicide even after endorsing or expressing suicidal ideations, suggesting control over their ideations. Thus, even if suicidal ideations may be necessary for predicting future suicide attempts, they are not sufficient predictors of the suicidal act.

Mental illnesses are the primary risk processes that underlie the majority of suicide mortality and morbidity. Apart from mental illnesses, other life events (e.g., death of a loved one) and sociocultural factors, such as being isolated or feeling unacceptable to others or unable to adjust to others, also play a role.1 Depression, psychiatric disorders, and hopelessness are strongly associated with suicide ideation; however, they have less to do with predicting suicide attempts.4 On the other hand, only the mental illnesses with poor impulse-control and anxiety predict the progression from intent to attempt...

Language: en