Suicide prevention and suicidal behavior

Gac Med Mex. 2021;157(5):547-552. doi: 10.24875/GMM.M21000611.

Abstract

In Mexico, suicidal behavior is a matter of concern because, although the rates of death by suicide are below global mean (11.4 vs. 4.1 x 100,000 population), between 1970 and 2007 they increased by 175 %, especially among young people, in whom it is the third leading cause of death. For this reason, several preventive actions have been developed but have not had the expected success, because they are poorly designed. They lack a uniform and clear case definition. Their approach is reductionist, it focuses only on the public health aspect and does not go beyond traditional plans of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention. This review aims to offer different options, such as adopting the case definition provided by Atlanta's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It aims to broaden the vision in order to include philosophical, psychosocial and psychiatric aspects, as well as to include, as a theoretical framework, the "diathesis-stress" psychological model and propose a population-based intervention preventive strategy.

En México la conducta suicida es una preocupación porque, aunque las tasas de suicidio consumado están por debajo de la media mundial (11.4 vs. 4.1 x 100,000 habitantes), entre 1970 y 2007 aumentaron un 175%, sobre todo a expensas de los jóvenes, en los cuales es la tercera causa de muerte. Por tal motivo, se han elaborado varias acciones preventivas que no han tenido el éxito esperado, porque están mal planteadas. Carecen de una definiciones de caso uniforme y clara. Su enfoque es reduccionista, se apega solo al de la salud pública y no salen del esquema tradicional de prevención primaria, secundaria y terciaria. La presente revisión pretende ofrecer una opciones diferentes. Adoptar como definición de caso la de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de la Enfermedades (CCD) de Atlanta. Ampliar la visión incluyendo aspectos filosóficos, psicosociales y psiquiátricos. Incluir como marco teórico el modelo psicológico «diátesis-estrés» y proponer como estrategia preventiva «las intervenciones por poblaciones».

Keywords: Conducta suicida; Prevención; Prevention; Suicidal behavior; Suicide; Suicidio.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Humans
  • Mexico / epidemiology
  • Suicidal Ideation*
  • Suicide Prevention*