suicide method
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Author(s):  
Guendalina Gentile ◽  
Stefano Tambuzzi ◽  
Raffaella Calati ◽  
Riccardo Zoja

Suicide in cancer patients has always been a subject of clinical studies, but the contribution of forensic pathology to this phenomenon is poorly reported. With the aim of at least partially filling this gap in information, at the Institute of Forensic Medicine of Milan, Italy, we assessed all suicides that occurred in cancer patients. A descriptive and retrospective analysis was carried out by examining the database of the Institute and autopsy reports. We included 288 suicide cases with proven cancer diseases. For each suicide, sex, age, country of origin, body area affected by cancer, further pathological history, medications, previous suicide attempts and suicidal communications, as well as the place where the suicide occurred, were assessed. Furthermore, from a forensic point of view, we considered the chosen suicide method and any involved means. The majority of cases were male older adults affected by lung, colon and prostate cancer. Violent suicide methods were prevalent, and the most represented suicide method was falling from height regardless of the body area affected by cancer. Such data may be of clinical use for clinicians engaged in the front lines in order to address suicide risk prevention strategies among cancer patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 797-803
Author(s):  
Andres Joaquin Guarnizo Chávez ◽  
Nathaly Alejandra Romero Heredia

Introduction: Adolescent suicide is a public health problem that has been neglected due to the pandemic and confinement. Objective: To describe the characteristics of adolescent suicide, during the period of confinement due to pandemic in the year 2020 in Ecuador. Method: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study was carried out, with the information from the database of violent deaths of the Ministry of Government, from March 17 to September 13, which lasted through the state of emergency. The analysis was carried out by province, sex, age, suicide method and frequency in days after the event occurred. The suicide mortality rate (per 100,000 inhabitants) was estimated for each province. Results: During confinement due to a state of emergency in 2020 in Ecuador, 97 suicides were registered among adolescents between 10 and 19 years of age. The highest number was estimated in males between 15 and 19 years of age, with the most frequent age being 19. The most frequent day of removal of corpses was on Mondays, and the preferred mode of suicide was by hanging with 81 reported cases. followed by intoxication and poisoning. Conclusions: No increases were found in the suicide mortality rate during the state of emergency in 2020. However, it must be considered that the context of COVID-19 has increased the burden of psychological suffering, which may lead adolescents to think about suicide.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuelle Garmes Pires ◽  
Gizelda Monteiro da Silva ◽  
Sonia Maria Cesar de Azevedo Silva

Abstract Background: Near-fatal suicide attempts by poisoning increase the risk of subsequent suicide and results in hospitalizations due to health damage caused by chemical agents. There have been no studies in Brazil considering the factors related to the choice of self-poisoning in near-fatal suicide attempts and individual awareness of hazards if non-lethal outcome. Aims: Investigate the factors influencing the decision to use poisoning in near-fatal suicide attempts and the perception of its dangers in case of survival. Method: Exploratory qualitative research with 17 adult patients who had near-fatal suicide attempts by self-poisoning hospitalized at a general hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. Results: Patients reported three main reasons for the choice of method: the expectation of death without suffering, the belief of its efficacy as a suicide method, and ease of access to chemical agents. None considered the health risks associated with the chemical agents if they survived due to impulsivity and misinformation. Conclusion: Most participants chose self-poisoning with the expectation of death without suffering. Importantly, although half the sample required hospitalization, none had considered the risks associated with the use of such chemical agents. We conclude that prevention strategies should inform the possible health damages related to the use of chemical agents for people at risk of suicide.


2021 ◽  
pp. injuryprev-2021-044240
Author(s):  
Alan Lee Berman ◽  
Alisonj Athey ◽  
Paul Nestadt

Reducing access to lethal means can prevent suicides. However, substitution of a suicide method remains a concern. Until 1986, the Ellington Bridge was the site of one-half of all Washington, DC bridge suicides. An antisuicide fence was installed in 1986, creating a naturalistic case–control design for testing the substitution hypothesis with the adjacent and equally as lethal jump site, the Taft Bridge. We found that suicide deaths from the Ellington Bridge were reduced by 90% (p=0.001) following barrier construction, without changes in rates of jumps from either the Taft Bridge or any other bridge in the city. Suicides by all methods decreased significantly across the study period. While the decline in suicides from the Ellington Bridge may reflect a broader decline in suicide, the decline in bridge suicide without persistent shifts in deaths to other bridges provides evidence that restricting access to one highly lethal method is effective.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Mark Mohan Kaggwa ◽  
Moses Muwanguzi ◽  
Elicana Nduhuura ◽  
Jonathan Kajjimu ◽  
Innocent Arinaitwe ◽  
...  

University students are in transition to adulthood and face multiple challenges that may lead to suicide. They are reported to have a higher risk of suicide by the World Health Organization. As there is no national suicide database in Uganda, we analysed student suicide using the press/media reports of suicides published between 2010 and 2020. A total of deaths by 23 suicide were identified: 19 were males, relationship problems were the main suicide reason (n = 6) and hanging was the most frequently used suicide method (n = 7). A strategic intervention to tackle suicide risk among university students is warranted.


BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Marzano ◽  
Dafni Katsampa ◽  
Jay-Marie Mackenzie ◽  
Ian Kruger ◽  
Nazli El-Gharbawi ◽  
...  

Background Choice of suicide method can strongly influence the outcome of suicidal behaviour, and is an important aspect of the process and planning involved in a suicide attempt. Yet, the reasons why individuals consider, choose or discard particular methods are not well understood. Aims This is the first study to explore method choices among people with a history of suicidal behaviour and individuals who have experienced, but not enacted, suicidal thoughts. Method Via an online survey, we gathered open-ended data about choice of methods in relation to suicidal thoughts and behaviours, including reasons for and against specific means of harm. Results A total of 712 respondents had attempted suicide, and a further 686 experienced suicidal thoughts (but not acted on them). Self-poisoning was the most commonly contemplated and used method of suicide, but most respondents had considered multiple methods. Method choices when contemplating suicide included a broader range of means than those used in actual attempts, and more unusual methods, particularly if perceived to be lethal, ‘easy’, quick, accessible and/or painless. Methods used in suicide attempts were, above all, described as having been accessible at the time, and were more commonly said to have been chosen impulsively. Key deterrents against the use of specific methods were the presence of and impact on other people, especially loved ones, and fears of injury and survival. Conclusions Exploration of method choices can offer novel insights into the transition from suicidal ideation to behaviour. Results underscore the need for preventative measures to restrict access to means and delay impulsive behaviour.


Crisis ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Howell ◽  
Emilee R. H. Cowan-Nelson ◽  
Victoria D. Cobuz

Abstract. Background: "Committed suicide" is often deemed less acceptable than alternative phrases, but such judgments vary widely across individuals. Aim: We tested whether the endorsement of statements containing "committed suicide" is greater when a suicide death is depicted as immoral. We also assessed the degree of immorality suggested by the free-standing phrases "committed suicide" and "died by suicide." Method: Undergraduate participants ( N = 154) read scenarios of a suicide depicted as immoral and one depicted more neutrally and judged the applicability of statements employing either "committed suicide" or "died by suicide" to each scenario. Participants next chose between the free-standing phrases "committed suicide" or "died by suicide" in terms of which connoted immorality and provided written justifications for their choices. Results: Participants judged "committed suicide" statements to be most applicable to the immoral-suicide scenario. A large majority of participants chose "committed suicide" over "died by suicide" as connoting immorality and participants' justifications for this choice revealed several meaningful themes. Limitations: Our manipulation of immorality employed religious overtones and our participants were undergraduate students. Conclusions: Findings contribute to the empirical basis for concerns regarding the phrase "committed suicide," with implications for stigma reduction and help-seeking.


Crisis ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Molly M. Long ◽  
Julie Cerel ◽  
Rosalie S. Aldrich ◽  
Athena Kheibari

Abstract. Background: Crisis workers provide services to individuals who are in acute distress. There is no research examining personal and occupational exposure to suicide in these workers. Aims: We aimed to examine the prevalence of personal, occupational, and colleague suicide exposure among crisis workers, the mental health outcomes associated with suicide exposures, and perceived professional preparedness for client suicide. Method: Crisis workers ( n = 115) completed an online survey assessing suicide exposure, depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Results: Over a third of participants (33.9%, n = 37) reported that they had lost at least one client to suicide, with an average of 2.30 clients ( SD = 4.47) lost to suicide. Over three quarters (77.1%, n = 81) of study participants reported they had experienced at least one personal loss to suicide. Those who perceived their relationship to the personal suicide as close or very close had significantly greater PTSD symptoms ( M = 3.29, SD = 2.23) than those who perceived their relationship as not at all close, not close, or somewhat close ( M = 1.38, SD = 1.69), t(20) = −2.10, p = .049. Limitations: Snowball sampling is the study's main limitation. Conclusion: The current study demonstrates that a substantial percentage of crisis workers are exposed to suicide and additional research is needed to determine how exposures impact practice and personal symptoms in this population.


Author(s):  
Thomas Reisch

Suicide by firearm is the most lethal method of suicide and is executed much more frequently by men than by women. In comparison with other suicide methods, pre-existing psychiatric conditions are found less often and medical comorbidities more often. Suicide by firearm is carried out impulsively, frequently following a relationship crisis. Firearm suicide is mainly found in high- and middle-income countries. There is a close correlation between the frequency of firearm ownership and the frequency of this suicide method. People living in households with a gun generally seem to be at a higher risk of suicide. Several changes of legislation that lead to a decreased availability of guns have proven to be effective. However, legislation changes regarding firearms often lead to resistance by gun lobbies. Which intervention can be successfully implemented, mostly depends on country-specific circumstances.


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