Suicide: A Global Perspective

In the last 45 years suicide rates have increased by 60% worldwide. Suicide is now among the three leading causes of death among those aged 15-44 years (both sexes); these figures do not include suicide attempts up to 20 times more frequent than completed suicide. Suicide worldwide was estimated to represent 1.8% of the total global burden of disease in 1998, and 2.4% in countries with market and former socialist economies in 2020. The economic costs associated with completed and attempted suicide are estimated to be in the billions of dollars. One million lives lost each year are more than those lost from wars and murder annually in the world. The book summarizes relevant data on suicide in countries belonging to different cultures and geographical areas. Specifically, the book discuses the relationship between suicide prevention agencies including government organizations; what the important issues are and what can be learned from different contests. Readers will learn how the many factors underlining suicide risk come into play in the determination and precipitation of risk. Cultural aspects are highlighted to provide explanation for the different scenarios regarding suicide.