An estimated 804,000 deaths by suicide occurred globally in 2012 (WHO 2014a). Of these, 75.5 percent were in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), which have limited resources to address the issue. The reasons for suicides are multifactorial, but suicides are preventable.
Suicide is operationally defined for the purpose of this chapter as the deliberate act of killing oneself. Suicide attempt describes any nonfatal suicidal behavior, such as intentional self-inflicted poisoning, injury, or self-harm. The inclusion of deliberate self-harm (DSH) within the definition of suicide attempt is potentially controversial, because it includes some acts carried out without suicidal intent. Nevertheless, suicide intent can be difficult to ascertain. Accordingly, the approach in this chapter follows that used by the World Health Organization (WHO) and classifies DSH under suicide attempt.
© 2016 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank.