Suicide and Mental Disorders: do we know enough?

Abstract

According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, approximately 814 000 people died by suicide in the year 2000 (World Health Organization, 2001a). In the past 45 years suicide rates have increased by 60% in some countries and suicide is now one of the three leading causes of death among those aged 15–34 years worldwide. These data clearly indicate that suicide is a serious public health problem.

The association of suicide and mental disorders has been widely discussed and documented, leaving the key role of the management of mental disorders in the prevention of suicide uncontested. However, do we know enough about this issue? To this end, we have undertaken the task of revisiting the available evidence. We found it essential to highlight a few issues critical to future action.