This paper introduced some epidemiological features of suicide, the risk factors of commit suicide such as mental disorder, personality disorder, physical lesion and social and environmental factors. This paper also introduced the strategy for prevention and control of commit suicide to reduce the morbidity and mortality rate of suicide.
Suicide ; Prevention & control

Humans ; Suicide ; prevention & control ; psychology

Suicide rate in depression is higher than that in general population, therefore, it is a major topic how to prevent the suicide in depression in clinic. In this paper, we review the risk factors in depression with suicidal behaviors and also the latest progress in neuroimaging, neuroendocrinology and molecular genetics, which may reveal the potential neurobiological mechanism of suicide in depression, and thus help the prevention of suicidality and further research.
Brain ; physiopathology ; Depression ; physiopathology ; psychology ; Humans ; Neurobiology ; Risk Factors ; Suicide ; prevention & control ; psychology ; Suicide, Attempted ; prevention & control ; psychology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of controlling the specific dangerous pesticides on prevention of acute pesticide poisoning in rural area.

METHODSThe data of reported cases of pesticide poisoning were analyzed to find out the specific dangerous pesticide in acute pesticide poisoning. Then the occurrence of occupational pesticide poisoning and fatality of non-occupational pesticide poisoning were estimated under the hypothesis of removing the specific dangerous pesticides.

RESULTSThe data indicated that parathion (including methyl parathion) was the specific dangerous pesticide inducing occupational pesticide poisoning. After removing the use of parathion, the hazard of pesticides which caused occupational pesticide poisoning would be significantly decreased (P < 0.01). Parathion was also the most dangerous pesticide which caused non-occupational pesticide poisoning, with its fatality up to 15.8%. If parathion was well controlled, the fatality of non-occupational pesticide poisoning would be declined from 9.4% to 7.4%. The analyses of related literatures also revealed the similar results.

CONCLUSIONThe occurrence of occupational pesticide poisoning and fatality of non-occupational pesticide poisoning may decrease if the most dangerous pesticides are well supervised.

Purpose: There has been no nationwide surveillance survey of poisoning cases in Korea. This study examined the clinical characteristics of poisoning admissions in order to obtain preliminary data for future planning. Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed the data on poisoning admissions of 150 hospitals based on the hospital discharge injury surveillance data of Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Korea from January to December in 2004. The demographic data, poisons used, causes of poisoning, reasons for attempted suicide and mortality rate was investigated according to the age group. The factors associated with mortality were also evaluated. Results: A total 836 patients admitted for poisoning were analyzed. Their mean age was 46.5+/-19.5 years (male 415, female 421). The most frequent age group was the 4th and 5th decades. The most common poisons involved were pesticides (45%) and medications (23%). The majority (64%) involved intentional poisoning except for those in the 1st decade. The most common reason for the attempted suicide was family problems. However, individual disease was the most common reason in those over 60 years. The overall mortality rate was 8.7% (73/836). Pesticides and being elderly (over 65 years old) were strongly correlated with fatality. Conclusion: The incidence of intentional poisoning increases from the 2nd decade making it a preventable injury. "Overall, the incidence of intentional poisoning increases from the 2nd decade". Therefore, there is a need to frame a prevention policy corresponding to each factor related to fatality, such as an elderly population and pesticides.
Aged ; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Pesticides ; Poisons ; Retrospective Studies ; Suicide, Attempted

A study of accidental railway-related fatalities was performed using the case files of the Office of the National Institute of Scientific Investigation, Seoul, Korea, during the years 1992-2002 revealed 54 cases in which either a train caused death or in which a body was found dead by the tracks. To describe the features of railway-related deaths, I reviewed autopsy, and accident report data on all such deaths. Of the total 54 railway-related deaths, men accounted for 87% of the deaths. The manners of deaths were as follows: 23 were suicides, 2 were the result of criminal violence, 9 were accidents, and 20 were due to other causes. Most railway fatalities were among men between the age of 20-40 years. Many railway related fatalities occurred under 9 o'clock and over 22 o'clock. A blood alcohol concentration >0.05 % was found in 30 cases. Fatal railway injury is characterized by extensive disruption of more than one body region. A discussion ensues concerning the most common type of accidental railway-related fatalities, why they occur, and what future work remains in order to avoid such fatalities. Evidently, fatalities more frequently result from suicides, and then victims' disregard for safety. In conclusion, it is hoped that this article will serve as a catalyst for future research on this subject.
Accident Prevention ; Autopsy ; Body Regions ; Criminals ; Hope ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Seoul ; Suicide ; Violence

Suicide is a common and preventable event that is often reported by the media when there are sensationalistic elements or if the suicide involves a celebrity. Media reports of suicide can induce a copycat or "Werther effect". There is increasing evidence that sensationalistic reporting of suicides has a direct effect on increasing suicide rates. Responsible reporting guidelines drawn up in consultation with media professionals have been shown to improve reporting of suicides. Local reporting on suicides tends to be sensationalistic but also has a strong educational slant. The media should educate both the public and the medical professional about their role in suicide prevention.
Guidelines as Topic ; Humans ; Imitative Behavior ; Mass Media ; standards ; Singapore ; Suicide ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVEUnderstand the public's current attitudes and knowledge about suicide and, thus, provide essential information to the development of targeted public education programs-important components of the suicide prevention effort.

METHODSSeventeen mental health professionals who were extensively trained in the methods of conducting focus groups used a pre-tested focus group outline on attitudes and knowledge about suicide to conduct 101 focus groups and 18 individual in-depth interviews with a total of 842 community respondents from 6 regions in northern China. The focus groups and in-depth interviews were audio-taped, transcribed and analyzed using the QSR Nvivo text analysis software.

RESULTSMost respondents believed that suicide was a greater problem in rural areas and among women and identified physical illnesses, economic problems and interpersonal conflicts (particularly family conflicts) as the main causes of suicide. Rural residents and women were believed to exhibit impulsive suicidal behavior because of their personal limitations and over-sensitiveness. Most thought that suicide was understandable and a small proportion felt that it was acceptable behavior in certain circumstances. Almost all felt that suicide resulted in the stigmatization and a loss of 'face' for the family. Most believed that one should show concern for persons who have suicidal behavior and their family members and expressed a willingness to have superficial social relationships with them but were unwilling to establish close personal relations with them. The vast majority believed that suicide was either very difficult or impossible to prevent.

CONCLUSIONSIn China the community is tolerant, sympathetic and, in some cases, accepting of suicide but there remains a substantial underlying stigmatization of suicide. Community members have some misunderstandings about suicide; the most obvious misunderstanding is the underestimation of the importance of mental illness as a cause of suicide. The content of public health messages used in suicide prevention programs should be developed by combining findings from both qualitative and quantitative research.

No abstract available.
Alcoholism ; Depression ; Humans ; Mental Health ; Physicians, Primary Care/psychology ; Republic of Korea ; Suicide/*prevention & control

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a core competency support program on depression and suicidal ideation in adolescents. METHODS: A quasi-experimental design was employed in this study. Participants for the study were high school students, 27 in the experimental group and 29 in the control group. Data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN. 14.0 program with chi-square test, t-test, and ANCOVA. RESULTS: Participants in the core competency support program reported decreased depression scores significantly different from those in the control group. Participants in the core competency support program reported decreased suicidal ideation scores, also significantly different from those in the control group. CONCLUSION: The core competency support program was effective in decreasing depression and suicidal ideation for adolescents. Therefore, this approach is recommended as a suicide prevention strategy for adolescents.
Adolescent ; Adolescent Behavior ; *Adolescent Psychology ; *Depression ; Female ; Humans ; Program Development ; Suicide/*prevention & control