Suicidality

Last update: 06/10/2008

 

Self-inflicted deaths account for 1.5% of total deaths for both genders and are one of the leading causes of deaths in Europe. 

Ø       Among the 6 European countries considered in the ESEMeD study, lifetime-prevalence of suicidal thoughts was 7.8% and of suicidal attempts 1.8%.
Ø       Lifetime suicidality (i.e. suicide thoughts and attempts) was more frequent among women, younger ages, those previously married (divorced, separated, widowed), and persons living in large urban areas.
 
There were important country differences in suicidality rates. 
§          Suicide thoughts were more frequent among participants from France (12.4%), followed by Germany (9.8%), Belgium (8.4%), The Netherlands (8.2%), Spain (4.4%), and Italy (3.0%).
§          Suicide attempts were again more frequent among those from France (3.4%), followed by Belgium (2.5%), The Netherlands (2.3%), Germany (1.7%), Spain (1.5%), and Italy (0.5%).
 
Lifetime suicidality was high among respondents with mental disorders (major depression, dysthimic disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, and alcohol dependence), with rates around 30% for suicidal ideas and 10% of suicidal attempts. In fact, mental disorders, especially the major depressive episode, are the most important determinants of suicidality.
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Used for this summary:

Bernal M, Haro JM, Bernert S, Brugha T, de Graaf R, Bruffaerts R, et al.Risk factors for suicidality in Europe: Results from the ESEMED study
J Affect Disord 2007;101(1-3):27-34

Nock MK, Borges G, Bromet EJ, Alonso J, Angermeyer MC, Beautrais A, et al.Cross-national prevalence and risk factors for suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts.
Br J Psychiatry 2008;192:98-105 

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List of Articles related to Suicidality

Bernal M, Haro JM, Bernert S, Brugha T, de Graaf R, Bruffaerts R, et al (...Vilagut G,...Alonso J).. Risk factors for suicidality in Europe: Results from the ESEMED study.
J Affect Disord 2007;101(1-3):27-34.

Heider D, Bernert S, Matschinger H, Haro JM, Alonso J, Angermeyer MC and the ESEMeD/MHEDEA 2000 investigators.. Parental bonding and suicidality in adulthood
Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2007; 41(1):66-73.

Gabilondo A, Alonso J, Pinto-Meza A, Vilagut G, Fernández A, Serrano-Blanco A, et al (...Almansa J, Codony M, Haro JM).. [Prevalence and risk factors for suicide ideation, plans and attempts in the Spanish general population. Results from the ESEMeD study.] [Prevalencia y factores de riesgo de las ideas, planes e intentos de suicidio en la población general española. Resultados del estudio ESEMeD. ]. (Spanish)
Med Clin (Barc) 2007;129 (13): 494-500.

Borges G, Nock MK, Medina-Mora ME, Lara C, Chiu WT, Kessler RC.. The epidemiology of suicide-related outcomes in Mexico.
Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior 2007; (in press)

Nock MK, Borges G, Bromet EJ, Alonso J, Angermeyer MC, Beautrais A, Bruffaerts R, Chiu WT, de Girolamo G, Gluzman S, de Graaf R, Gureje O, Haro JM, Huang Y, Karam E, Kessler RC, Lépine JP, Levinson D, Medina-Mora ME, Ono Y, Posada-Villa J, Williams D.. Cross-national prevalence and risk factors for suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts.
Br J Psychiatry 2008;192:98-105

Scocco P, de Girolamo G, Vilagut G, Alonso J. Prevalence of suicide ideation, plans, and attempts and related risk factors in Italy: Results from the European Study on the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders-World Mental Health study.
Compr Psychiatry 2008;49(1):13-21

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