Fazel2020 - Suicide
- Type:#article
- Date read: 2023-01-20
- Subject: Suicide
- Bibtex: @fazel2020
- Bibliography: Fazel, S., & Runeson, B. (2020). Suicide. New England Journal of Medicine, 382(3), 266–274. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra1902944
Example citation
Key takeaways
- What explanations have been put forward for regional differences?
- How suicide is classified
- Attitudes
- Access to lethal means
- Adequacy of treatment for mental disorders
- Means restriction strategies play an important role: restrictive alcohol policies, detoxification of domestic gas, restrictions of firearms.
- There are approximately 20 suicide attempts for every death by suicide
- Five key points:
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- A person who presents with suicidal thoughts may be at risk for suicide even if there are few overt symptoms of a psychiatric disorder
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- Suicide risk should be assessed by considering predisposing and precipitating factors, including recent life events
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- The risk of suicide should be managed through regular follow-up and brief psychological therapy
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- The suicidal person, family members, and those who provide care should all take part in ensuring a safe environment, with removal of the means of suicide such as guns
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- If the risk of suicide is considered to be high or uncertain, the person should be referred immediately to mental health services, and the use of risk-assessment tools should be considered to aid risk stratification and communication among services
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Refs to read: 5, 6, 7, 8, 59 (about means restriction)
20 suicide attempts for each suicide death: Preventing suicide: a global imperative. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2014
