Suicide and the attempted suicide: an international perspective

This article reviews the scope of suicide and attempted suicide as public health problems from an international perspective. Socio-demographic trends are analyzed and explanatory theories for international differences proposed. Suicide and attempted suicide can be prevented, but the development and evaluation of effective large-scale prevention programs is still in its infancy. Inadequacies in current programs across the world has promoted the establishment of national Task Forces on Suicide Prevention in the United States, Canada and The Netherlands, as well as a WHO strategy on suicide prevention. These groups have formulated comprehensive strategies for the prevention of suicide. The main components of these strategies are: Design and implementation of national research programs; The improvement of services; The provision of information and training on suicide prevention to relevant professional groups, organizations and the general public; and Formulation of strategies and techniques to deal with special risk groups. The added recommendations are seen as important steps in translating a comprehensive national plan to prevent suicide into clinical and research programs that can be effectively implemented to prevent these tragedies around the world.