Citation

González-Forteza C, Berenzon S, Jiménez A. Salud Ment. (Mex) 1999; 22(SPEC. ISS.): 145-153.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, Instituto Mexicano de Psiquiatria)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

Most of the population in Mexico is young, therefore, it is necessary to attend the mental health problems of this group. There is a very dangerous growing phenomenon particularly among young people: suicide. In 1992 there were 522 suicides among 15 to 24 years old youngsters; in 1995 the number went up to 958. It has been observed almost all over the world that men commit suicide more than women (three men per one woman), while women attempt it more frequently. Besides these differences there are others regarding the methods used: men tend to use hanging or fire arms and women prefer taking substances. This information made us apply the gender approach to obtain a satisfying explanation for these variations; it suggests considering emotional disorders as a constitutive issue going beyond the usual dispute between health and insanity, because it involves the notion of gender psychopathology. The main objective of this report is to give a panoramic view of the suicidal behavior in adolescent population through investigations carried out in Mexico in this regard, considering it as an important mental health topic. Another purpose is to show the research guidelines developed by the Mexican Institute of Psychiatry. Research work on suicide in adolescents began in 1987, and so far there are ten reports of the results of those investigations. Seven were developed by other institutions, from 1955 to 1998, considering only the ones reported in the data sources used for this paper. Having this view in mind, the problem from a psychosocial approach is to enclose possible relations with other elements that may help to obtain a full understanding of this phenomenon and to identify the potential risks and protective factors. It has been reported that family environment is one of the main risk factors for men. In women, besides a disfunctional environment, stress from feeling devaluated within its peer group, low self-esteem, bad communication with their mother and isolation in stressful situations also are risk factors. The results of diverse researches show the necessity to undertake more applied investigations for designing and evaluating preventive programs for suicidal behavior in populations that formerly were not considered in great danger. It is also important to point out that effective mental health services for children and adolescents, including early detection and prevention programs, would positively help dealing with this problem.

Language: es

Keywords

adolescence; adolescent; Adolescent; article; Attempted suicide; female; human; major clinical study; male; Mexico; risk factor; self esteem; social isolation; stress; Student; suicidal behavior; Suicidal ideation; suicide; suicide attempt