Conducta suicida. Guía de práctica clínica para su prevención y atención

Abstract

The World Health Organization -WHO- (2016, p.1) notes that, "Annually, more than 800,000 people take their own lives and many more attempt suicide. Each suicide is a tragedy that affects families, communities, and countries and has lasting effects for those close to the suicidal person."

Suicidal behavior ranges from ideation in its different expressions, through threats, gestures and attempts, to the suicide itself. The presence of any of these indicators (ideation, threats, gestures and attempts) should be considered as a sign of high risk in the individual presenting them.

The relationship between suicide and mental disorders is quite close, however, it does not mean that those who do not suffer from a mental disorder are exempt from this suicidal behavior, since there have been cases that occur impulsively as a response to a crisis that affects the ability to cope with the difficulties of life, such as economic problems, the breakup of sentimental or family relationships, or chronic pain and illness.