Disparities in suicide mortality trends between United States of America and 25 European countries: retrospective analysis of WHO mortality database

Automated external defibrillator: Rhythm analysis and defibrillation on paediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Objective

This study aims to quantify the reliability of automated external defibrillators (AED) in paediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (pOHCA) by evaluating the defibrillation and the shock advisory system efficacy. Furthermore, the relationship between the initial energy dose and patient outcomes is analysed.

Methods

We studied data from all pOHCA cases (age < 18 years) treated by the Paris Fire Brigade between January 2010 and December 2018, limited to those with available AED signals. The efficacy of shocks is the primary outcome. The secondary outcomes are the shock advisory system performance, pre-hospital return of a spontaneous circulation (ROSC), survival and energy dose. Energy dose, weight and age are compared using a Wilcoxon test according to the outcome's values.

Results

A total of 1,990 electrocardiogram strips extracted from 349 pOHCA cases were included in the study. Shock advisory system had a sensitivity of 89.4% and a specificity of 99.8% for the detection of shockable rhythms. Shock efficacy observed for all patients who received a shock was 83.1% and first shock efficacy for patients in initial ventricular fibrillation was 96%. Patients who received a shock had a pre-hospital ROSC rate of 74.3%, a survival rate at hospital admission of 71.4% and 34.3% at hospital discharge.

Conclusion

This study shows that AED detect shockable rhythm with a good sensitivity and specificity and that shocks are associated with a very high rates of termination of shockable rhythms in pOHCA.

Self-harm in women in midlife: rates, precipitating problems and outcomes following hospital presentations in the multicentre study of self-harm in England

BACKGROUND

Suicide in women in the UK is highest among those in midlife. Given the unique changes in biological, social and economic risk factors experienced by women in midlife, more information is needed to inform care.

AIM

To investigate rates, characteristics and outcomes of self-harm in women in midlife compared to younger women and identify differences within the midlife age-group.

METHOD

Data on women aged 40-59 years from the Multicentre Study of Self-harm in England from 2003 to 2016 were used, including mortality follow-up to 2019, collected via specialist assessments and/or emergency department records. Trends were assessed using negative binomial regression models. Comparative analysis used chi-square tests of association. Self-harm repetition and suicide mortality analyses used Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

The self-harm rate in midlife women was 435 per 100 000 population and relatively stable over time (incident rate ratio (IRR) 0.99, p < 0.01). Midlife women reported more problems with finances, alcohol and physical and mental health. Suicide was more common in the oldest midlife women (hazard ratio 2.20, p < 0.01), while psychosocial assessment and psychiatric inpatient admission also increased with age.

CONCLUSION

Addressing issues relating to finances, mental health and alcohol misuse, alongside known social and biological transitions, may help reduce self-harm in women in midlife. Alcohol use was important across midlife while physical health problems and bereavement increased with age. Despite receiving more intensive follow-up care, suicide risk in the oldest women was elevated. Awareness of these vulnerabilities may help inform clinicians' risk formulation and safety planning.

[Mental healthcare in South Tyrol]

Mental healthcare in South Tyrol, as everywhere in Italy, is still characterized by Law 180, which came into force in 1978 under the leadership of Franco Basaglia and Bruno Orsini. The Ministry of Health subsequently set a target number of beds of 10/100,000 inhabitants. Unlike in other parts of Italy, private clinics play a minimal role in South Tyrol. The "Psychiatric Services" are part of the state healthcare system responsible for all citizens and are also responsible for compulsory outpatient care. According to the concept of community care, also due to the small number of inpatient beds, a great deal of care is provided on an outpatient basis. Coercive measures can only be used in the case of an illness requiring urgent treatment that the patient refuses, without recourse to endangering circumstances (self-endangerment or danger to a third party). Inpatient hospitalization is only possible if treatment also takes place and the principle of "outpatient before inpatient" also applies in this context, i.e., coercive treatment can only take place as an inpatient if it cannot be carried out as an outpatient. Forensic psychiatry has very few places and mentally ill offenders are often in prison or occupy beds in general psychiatric wards. Compared to Germany there are fewer beds available but staffing levels are better, particularly for nursing. In relation to the number of inhabitants, compulsory treatment is more frequent than in Germany, whereas involuntary hospitalization and physical restraint are much rarer (only possible in Italy by court order).

Death Trends and Years of Life Lost Due to Social Harms Such as Suicide, Homicide, and Addiction, Ilam Province, 2009-2019

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the death trend and years of life lost (YLL) caused by social harm in Ilam province.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted in Ilam province from 2009 to 2019. To estimate YLL, all deaths caused by suicide, homicide, and addiction were included in the study. The data were collected from the Forensic Medicine Organization. The analysis was carried out using SPSS software (version 23.0). A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Between 2009 and 2019, there were 1712 occurrences of suicide, homicide, and addiction, which resulted in a total of 62,605 years of lost life (53,934 per 100,000 people). The highest frequency was related to the age group of 15-29 years, while the lowest was related to the age group of 0-14 years (p<0.001). During the studied period, men were more likely than women to commit suicide, homicide, and addiction in Ilam (p>0.439). Between 2009 and 2019, the number of suicides and homicides in Ilam province started a decreasing trend for both sexes, while the number of deaths caused by addiction was increasing.

Conclusion

The results of this study indicated that the age groups of 15-29 years had the highest rate of YLL caused by suicide, homicide, and addiction for both sexes. Furthermore, the findings showed that YLL decreased for suicide and homicide, but increased for addiction.

Health Needs for Suicide Prevention and Acceptance of e-Mental Health Interventions in Adolescents and Young Adults: Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND

Adolescence is a phase of higher vulnerability for suicidal behavior. In Germany, almost 500 adolescents and young adults aged 15-25 years commit suicide each year. Youths in rural areas are characterized by a higher likelihood of poorer mental health. In rural areas, appropriate support for adolescents and young adults in mental health crises is difficult to access. The general acceptability of digital communication in youths can make the provision of an eHealth tool a promising strategy.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the health needs regarding suicide prevention for adolescents and young adults in rural areas of Germany and Switzerland and to identify characteristics of suitable e-mental health interventions.

METHODS

This study reports on a qualitative secondary analysis of archived data, which had been collected through formative participatory research. Using 32 semistructured interviews (individually or in groups of 2) with 13 adolescents and young adults (aged 18-25 years) and 23 experts from relevant fields, we applied a deductive-inductive methodological approach and used qualitative content analyses according to Kuckartz (2016).

RESULTS

Experts as well as adolescents and young adults have reported health needs in digital suicide prevention. The health needs for rural adolescents and young adults in crises were characterized by several categories. First, the need for suicide prevention in general was highlighted. Additionally, the need for a peer concept and web-based suicide prevention were stressed. The factors influencing the acceptability of a peer-driven, web-based support were related to low-threshold access, lifelike intervention, anonymity, and trustworthiness.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest a need for suicide prevention services for adolescents and young adults in this rural setting. Peer-driven and web-based suicide prevention services may add an important element of support during crises. By establishing such a service, an improvement in mental health support and well-being could be enabled. These services should be developed with the participation of the target group, taking anonymity, trustworthiness, and low-threshold access into account.

Midlife suicide: A systematic review and meta-analysis of socioeconomic, psychiatric and physical health risk factors

Suicide is an increasing contributing cause of mortality in middle-aged adults; however, knowledge to guide prevention is limited. This first systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on midlife suicide has provided an overview of published research on this issue and synthesized the evidence on socioeconomic and physical and mental health factors associated with this mortality. Using PRISMA guidelines MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Scopus and Web of Science were searched for English-language publications that involved persons aged 35 to 65, used individual-level data, and reported prevalence of exposure(s) or relative risks. The search identified 62 studies on midlife suicides and associated factors (28 for SES, 22 for psychiatric disorder and 23 for physical illness). All studies were from high income countries, and most (80.6%) used data from population registries. Meta-analyses showed that the pooled prevalence of exposure in suicide decedents was 57.8% for psychiatric disorder, 56.3% for low income, 43.2% for unemployment, and 27.3% for physical illness. The associated pooled risk ratio was 11.68 (95% confidence intervals: 5.82-23.47) for psychiatric illness of any type, 12.59 (8.29-19.12) for mood disorders, 3.91 (2.72-5.59) for unemployment, 3.18 (2.72-3.72) for being separated or divorced, 2.64 (2.26-3.10) for cancer, 2.50 (0.96-6.38) for central nervous system illness, and 2.26 (1.16-4.41) for low income. In conclusion, midlife suicide is strongly associated with socioeconomic difficulties and physical and psychiatric illnesses that are common in this age population. Future investigations should consider the interactions between risk factors, the intersectionality of sex and ethnicity, and include data from low- and middle-income countries.

Suicide and Attempted Suicide in Poland before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic between 2019 and 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic is related to changes in rates of suicide and suicide attempts in many countries, and some differences have been observed regarding the prevalence of suicidal behaviours in different age and gender groups. The aim of this study is to analyse the number of suicides and suicide attempts per 100,000 people between 2019 and 2021 in Poland. Using police and government data on suicide and suicide attempts in Poland, three age categories were investigated: 13–24 years old, 25–65 years old, and above 65 years old, and the analysis encompassed the whole population and the populations of men and women separately. Study results indicated an increase in suicide attempts in the two younger age categories (aged 7–24 years and 25–65 years) between 2021 and 2019–2020. There was an increase in suicide among women in all age categories during the study period, whilst no increase was observed in suicide in men in any age group. The differences in the prevalence of suicide and attempted suicide in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic in different age and gender groups indicate the need for tailored suicide prevention activities.

Years of Life Lost (YLLs) Due to Suicide and Homicide in Ilam Province: Iran, 2014-2018

OBJECTIVE

To provide detailed of suicide and homicide mortality and calculate of years of life lost (YLLs) in Ilam province Iran, during 2014-2018.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, all deaths due to suicide and homicide were enrolled to estimate YLLs, in Ilam province between 2014-2018. The source of data was legal medicine organization (LMO). All analysis was performed at 0.05 significant levels using statistical software package STATA for Windows version 11.2 and SPSS 21 software.

RESULTS

The total YLLs of suicide and homicide were 15685 and 5317, respectively. 522 per 100,000 populations were suicide and 117 for homicide. The YLL and 95% confidence interval form suicide was 34.4 (32.8-36.1) for both sexes that 33.7 (31.6-35.8) for men, and 35.5 (32.7-38.3) for women. In this study period, YLLs rate began to increase over the years in both injury-related in 2016.

CONCLUSION

Results of this study disclosed the most prominent contribution of men and peoples aged 15-29 to the YLLs. Also our results indicate a recent increase in suicide and homicide YLLs for both genders.

On prediction, refutation, and explanatory reach: A consideration of the Interpersonal Theory of Suicidal Behavior

Theory proposition, empirical evaluation, and resulting support or refutation are core pieces of the scientific process. These steps of theory-testing, however, can be complicated by relative rigidity and dogmatism, in combination with the logistical challenges inherent in conducting comprehensive, real-world tests of theories explicating complex scientific phenomena, especially rare ones. It may be argued that suicide is one such phenomenon, and one for which the field of psychology has struggled to develop satisfactory understanding. One leading theory of suicide, the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide, has garnered attention and, to a considerable degree, has weathered substantial scrutiny. Still, it is arguable that the theory has yet to be tested in full-that is, in accordance with all propositions originally put forth. In this effort, we sought to evaluate the current state of knowledge regarding the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide, as well as to suggest potential directions via which future work may proceed. We draw from the fields of philosophy, psychology, physics, and engineering in the hopes of engendering curiosity and critical thought about the assumptions researchers (ourselves included) bring to their work. We direct particular attention to the role of refutation in theory-testing; the supposed dichotomy of explanatory vs. algorithmic approaches; and the categorization of research programs as progressive vs. degenerative. In doing so, we hope not only to promote these ideas in the study of suicidal behavior but also to empiricists of all creeds and foci. We also include implications for suicide prevention efforts.

Mortality by suicide in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil (1996-2015)

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the epidemiological characteristics of suicide mortality in the state of Pernambuco, from 1996 to 2015. Method: Study with data from the Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade. The simple linear regression model was used to verify the trend in the period analyzed. Results: There were 6,229 suicides, of which 3,390 (54.4%) occurred in the second decade of study. The mortality rate was 4.7 per 100,000 inhabitants. The temporal trend presented a decrease of 23.5% (p=0.031). For the male sex and the age range between 20 and 39 years, there was a decline in self-inflicted death of 23.8% (p=0.018) and 26.1% (p=0.046), respectively. Conclusion: The temporal analysis revealed a reduction in suicide mortality coefficients. This observation may contribute to better targeting of health interventions, optimizing resources and efforts, especially in suicide prevention.

The burden of suicidal ideation across Europe: a cross-sectional survey in five countries

BACKGROUND

Suicidal ideation (SI) is an associated risk of depression, affecting 30-40% of the depressed population. However, there is a paucity of studies investigating the impact of SI in Europe. This retrospective observational study examined the burden of SI among adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) in the 2017 National Health and Wellness Survey in five European countries: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK.

METHODS

Bivariate analyses evaluated group differences between respondents with MDD with and without SI according to demographic characteristics, self-reported health-related quality of life, work productivity and activity impairment (WPAI), and healthcare resource utilization (HRU). Generalized linear models examined group differences country-wise, after controlling for relevant confounders.

RESULTS

Among 52,060 respondents, 3,308 individuals were diagnosed with MDD, comprising SI (n=905) and non-SI (nSI) (n=2403) patients. Adjusted differences (ADs), compared to the general population, were observed using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Survey (SF-12v2) mental component summary scores (AD: SI=-20.02, nSI=-10.77), physical component summary scores (AD: SI=-4.49, nSI=-2.50), and EuroQoL-5 Dimensions (AD: SI=-0.34, nSI=-0.15) (for all, p<0.001). Significantly greater WPAI and higher HRU were associated with SI compared to nSI.

CONCLUSION

The results illustrate the unique impact of SI within the MDD population and the need to reduce the burden.

Being at the center of attention: Iranian women's experience after suicide attempts

PURPOSE

A history of suicide attempts is the most important predictor of suicide. The aim of this study was to understand the experience of women after suicide attempts.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A purposive sampling method using semistructured in-depth interviews with seven Iranian women was implemented for data collection, and an interpretative phenomenological approach with the van Manen method was used for data analysis.

FINDINGS

The main theme was "being at the center of attention," from which emerged two subthemes: "loved ones keeping an eye on them" and "rain of love."

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

The study participants experienced satisfaction with their suicide attempt, and some of them felt that they are now being restricted. The study recommends that a special caregiver training program would be beneficial to educate the families in appropriate behavior after a loved one's suicide attempt.

The association between adolescent suicide rates and socioeconomic indicators in Brazil: a 10-year retrospective ecological study

OBJECTIVE

To examine suicide rates among adolescents from six large cities in Brazil and to analyze the relationship between adolescent suicide rates and socioeconomic indicators between 2006 and 2015.

METHODS

Generalized estimating equation models were used to assess the impact of socioeconomic factors - including social inequality and unemployment rates - on adolescent suicide rates.

RESULTS

The rate of adolescent suicide increased by 24% over the course of the study period. Social inequality (assessed using the Gini index), was positively associated with overall adolescent suicide rates (β = 10.68; 95%CI = 2.32-19.05; p ≤ 0.012). After disaggregating the findings by age (10-14 and 15-19 years), social inequality was associated with suicide rate only for adolescents aged 15-19 years (β = 9.63; 95%CI = 2.31-16.96; p ≤ 0.005). Disaggregating these findings by sex, the association with economic variables became significant only among females. Males had a higher overall suicide rate than females, and the highest rate was observed in male adolescents aged 15-19 years. Higher levels of unemployment were associated with higher suicide rates.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that socioeconomic indicators, particularly unemployment and social inequality, are relevant social determinants of suicide in adolescence.

Suicide mortality trends in Spain, 1980-2016

OBJECTIVES

To analyse changes in suicide mortality trends in Spain between 1980-2016 using joinpoint regression models.

METHODS

Mortality data were obtained from the INE. For each gender, age-group-specific and standardised (overall and truncated) rates (ASR) were calculated by the direct method (using the European standard population). The joinpoint analysis was used to identify the best-fitting points where a statistically significant change in the trend occurred.

RESULTS

Age adjusted mortality rates due to suicide in men was 9.8/100,000 males in 1980 and 11.8 in 2016, with an average annual increase of .8%. In women, the rates increased by 1.0% per year from 2.7 women per 100,000 in 1980 to 3.7 in 2016. The joinpoint analysis identified three turning points in the rates for both men (1986, 2000 and 2010) and women (1986, 2004 and 2010), which identify changes in the trend. In the period 2010-2016 the rates increase in women while in men the rates remain stable.

CONCLUSIONS

Our work shows a marked increase in mortality by suicide in Spanish women (2010-2016) while in men the rates remain stable. Little is known about the determinants of the increase and, therefore, more studies are needed.

Trend of years of life lost due to suicide in Iran (2006-2015)

OBJECTIVES

Suicide is a major global public health problem and much burden in the societies. This study aims to calculate the years of life lost (YLL) due to suicide and investigate its trend in Iran.

METHODS

Information on deaths due to suicide in Iran was extracted from Iran Legal Medicine Organization. The years of life lost was calculated in each year according to gender and age-groups. To examine the trend for different years, joinpoint regression was used.

RESULTS

The 35,297 deaths due to suicide were recorded in 2006-2015. The total YLL in the 10-year period was 34.52 per 1000 persons in males, 13.61 per 1000 persons in females and 23.35 per 1000 persons in both sexes. Hanging comprised the largest YLL of suicide. The annual percent change of YLL rate was 3.3%.

CONCLUSIONS

The results revealed that male shows an increasing trend in YLL specifically among youth and adult, while there is no improvement in females. There is a national need to implement an effective health policy intervention in Iran.

Factors associated with deaths from suicide in a French nationwide HIV-infected cohort

OBJECTIVES

People living with HIV (PLHIV) are at a higher risk of dying by suicide than the general population. Epidemiological data regarding determinants of suicide in PLHIV are scarce. The aim of this study was thus to study demographic, socio-economic, psychiatric history and immunovirological characteristics associated with death from suicide in the French multicenter Dat'AIDS cohort, from January 2000 to July 2013.

METHODS

This was a nested case-control study. All deceased PLHIV during the study period who died by suicide and whose medical files could be checked were included as cases. Controls were selected using incidence density sampling. For each case, up to four controls were selected among all actively followed PLHIV at the index date (date of death of cases). Controls were matched for time from HIV diagnosis (5-year periods) and clinical centre.

RESULTS

Seventy cases and 279 controls were included in the study. By multivariable analysis, the factors significantly associated with death from suicide were: not having children, active or substituted drug consumption, alcohol intake > 20 g/day or history of alcohol abuse, history of depressive disorder and/or of attempted suicide, and psychotropic drug intake. Conversely, age, gender, country of birth, positive HCV serology and HIV-related factors, such as AIDS status, use of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), nadir and current CD4 counts and HIV viral load, were not significantly associated with the risk of death from suicide.

CONCLUSIONS

In the cART era, HIV-related factors are not associated with a higher risk of suicide mortality. Suicide prevention measures should target PLHIV with the psychological morbidities observed in our cohort.

Suicide and self-harm trends in recent immigrant youth in Ontario, 1996-2012: a population-based longitudinal cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To describe the trends in suicide and emergency department (ED) visits for self-harm in youth by immigration status and immigrant characteristics.

DESIGN

Population-based longitudinal cohort study from 1996 to 2012 using linked health and administrative datasets.

SETTING

Ontario, Canada.

PARTICIPANTS

Youth 10 to 24 years, living in Ontario, Canada.

EXPOSURE

The main exposure was immigrant status (recent immigrant (RI) versus long-term residents (LTR)). Secondary exposures included region of birth, duration or residence, and refugee status.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Trends over time in suicide and ED self-harm were modelled within consecutive 3-year time periods. Rate ratios were estimated using Poisson regression models.

RESULTS

2.5 to 2.9 million individuals were included per cohort period. LTR suicide rates ranged from 7.4 to 9.4/100 000 male person-years versus 2.2-3.4/100 000 females. RI's suicide rates were 2.7-7.2/100,000 male versus 1.9-2.7/100 000 female person-years. Suicide rates were lower among RI compared with LTR (adjusted relative rate (aRR)=0.70, 95% CI=0.57 to 0.85) with different mechanisms of suicide. No significant time trend in suicide rates was observed (p=0.40). ED self-harm rates for LTR and RI were highest in females (2.6-3.4/1000 LTR females versus 1.1-1.5/1000 males, 1.2-1.8/1000 RI females versus 0.4-0.6/1000 males). RI had lower rates of self-harm compared with LTR (aRR=0.60, 95% CI=0.56 to 0.65). Stratum-specific rates showed a steeper decline per period in RI compared with LTR (RI: aRR=0.85, 95% CI=0.81 to 0.89; LTR: aRR=0.91, 95% CI=0.90 to 0.93). Observed trends were not universal across region of origin and by refugee status.

INTERPRETATION

Suicide rates have been stable and ED self-harm rates are declining over time among RI youth. These trends by important subgroups should continue to be monitored to allow for early identification of subpopulations of immigrant youth in need of targeted and culturally appropriate public health interventions.

Spatiotemporal Suicide Risk in Germany: A Longitudinal Study 2007-11

Despite comprehensive prevention programs in Germany, suicide has been on the rise again since 2007. The underlying reasons and spatiotemporal risk patterns are poorly understood. We assessed the spatiotemporal risk of suicide per district attributable to multiple risk and protective factors longitudinally for the period 2007–11. Bayesian space–time regression models were fitted. The nationwide temporal trend showed an increase in relative risk (RR) of dying from suicide (RR 1.008, 95% credibility intervals (CI) 1.001–1.016), whereas district-specific deviations from the grand trend occurred. Striking patterns of amplified risk emerged in southern Germany. While the number of general practitioners was positively related (RR 1.003, 95% CI 1.000–1.006), income was negatively and non-linearly related with suicide risk, as was population density. Unemployment was associated and showed a marked nonlinearity. Neither depression prevalence nor mental health service supply were related. The findings are vital for the implementation of future suicide prevention programs. Concentrating preventive efforts on vulnerable areas of excess risk is recommended.

Suicide rate trends in the Slovak Republic in 1993-2015

BACKGROUND

Suicide is a significant public health issue worldwide, resulting in loss of lives, and burdening societies.

AIMS

To describe and analyze the time trends of suicide rates (SRs) in the Slovak Republic in 1993-2015 for targeted suicide prevention strategies.

METHODS

Data for this study were obtained from the mortality database of the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic. Crude and standardized annual SRs were calculated. Trends and relative risks of suicide according to age and sex were analyzed by joinpoint regression and negative binomial regression.

RESULTS

In total, there were 14,575 suicides in the Slovak Republic in the period 1993-2015 (85.3% were men). The overall average age-standardized SR for the study period was 11.45 per 100,000 person years. The rate increases with age, the highest is in men aged 75+ (42.74 per 100,000 person years). Risk of suicide is six times higher in men than in women and nine times higher in men than in women in the age group 25-34. The time trend of SRs is stable or decreasing from 1993 to 2007, but increasing after 2007, corresponding with increased unemployment rate in the country.

CONCLUSION

The SR in the Slovak Republic is slightly below the average of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations. Highest SR is observed in men of working age and in retirement. Society might benefit from a strategy of education for improving the recognition of suicide risks.

Sociodemographic Antecedent Validators of Suicidal Behavior: A Review of Recent Literature

Suicidal behavior and its prevention constitute a major public health issue. Etiology of suicidal behavior is multifactorial. Whereas current research is mostly focused on clinical and biological risk factors, the sociodemographic risk factors for suicidal behavior, first highlighted by Durkheim, have received less attention. Besides the well-known impact of age and gender, sociodemographic variables such as marital and parental status, education, occupation, income, employment status, religion, migration or minority status, and sexual orientation are repeatedly reported to play an important role in suicidal behavior. This narrative review aimed to summarize recent research on sociodemographic risk factors for suicidal behavior and to elicit possible implications for suicide prevention.

Increase in Suicide Rates by Hanging in the Population of Tabasco, Mexico between 2003 and 2012

BACKGROUND

Worldwide, the suicide rate is decreasing. To examine changes in the rates of completed suicide in the Mexican population from 2003 to 2012, we analyzed these changes according to: (i) the method of suicide; (ii) age group and (iii) gender.

METHODS

The data analyzed were obtained from governmental organizations from the State of Tabasco, Mexico. The data provided 1836 cases of subjects born and residing in Tabasco, who completed suicide in this state.

RESULTS

Suicide by hanging was a common choice of suicide method for Mexicans. The rate of suicide by hanging increased from 5.80 to 6.49 per 100,000 persons between 2003 and 2012, a rate percentage increase of 11.89%.

CONCLUSIONS

Hanging was found to be the most common choice of suicide in the Mexican population, probably because the materials required are easily available and the method does not require complicated techniques, especially in the 55-64 age group. Strategies for prevention and intervention should be developed for the Mexican population considering suicide rates by age group and gender.