Suicide management and prevention :suggested protocol -

Abstract

Suicide is a tragic and devastating event that continues to be among top twenty leading cause of death among nations of different age groups. Psychiatry illness contributes to 90percent of suicide cases, it is estimated that around one million people die each year from suicide. These figures exclude rates of suicide attempts, which is believed to be twenty times higher if not more. Despite Lebanese Ministry of Public Health recognition of the high prevalence of mental disorders, which is believed to be equivalent to rates in Western Countries, our government until this day lacks a structured policy and plan for mental health awareness and prevention, and still lacks a structured system for collecting and recording data on suicide rates. The project will provide an overview on suicide epidemiology, factors associated with suicide, guidelines national guidelines for suicide prevention, and a suggested protocol based on evidence-based recommendations for suicide management and prevention to be adapted by the psychiatry department at the American University of Beirut Medical Center.