Department of Emergency Medicine

UMEM Educational Pearls

Category: International EM

Title: Suicide- A Deadly Global Blight

Keywords: Suicide, injury, self harm, youth (PubMed Search)

Posted: 10/7/2015 by Jon Mark Hirshon, MD, MPH, PhD
Click here to contact Jon Mark Hirshon, MD, MPH, PhD

 

Overall, suicide is the 15th leading global cause of death.  However, it is the 2nd leading cause among 15-29 year olds

  • Over 800,000 people die each year from suicide
  • 75% of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries
  • Most common methods of suicide globally are:
    • Pesticide ingestion (around 30%)
    • Hanging
    • Firearms

 

Suicides are preventable.  Interventions to decrease suicides include:

  • Reduce access to means of suicide
  • Alcohol policies that reduce the harmful use of alcohol
  • Early identification and treatment of patients at risk
    • Mental health disorders
    • Substance use disorders
    • Chronic pain syndromes
    • Acute emotional distress
    • Prior suicide attempts
  • Appropriate follow-up care for individuals who have attempted suicide

References

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs398/en/


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