Suicide from a Global Perspective: Risk Assessment and Management

Suicide is the cause of death for nearly one million people per year. Death by suicide is often reported as being due to other causes to avoid stigmatization and other negative consequences of suicide for the family. It can, therefore, be assumed that the number of people who commit suicide is in actuality much higher than the given number. Attempts at suicide, estimated to be ten times more frequent than completed suicide, often cause permanent impairment and disability. The loss of life caused by suicide presents a significant loss for the communities in which it occurs socially, economically and by blocking progress towards the creation of a civic society. This book brings together current knowledge about suicide, its causes and its prevention, which is a useful tool for public health efforts and for clinicians daily work. The present volume focuses on assessing risk and treating suicidal patients.