A Systematic Review of Suicide Patterns in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries

Research evaluating suicide in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries remains limited in the literature. This systematic review aims to analyse existing literature on suicide in GCC countries with an emphasis on the demographic characteristics, common methods employed, and the risk factors contributing to suicide. A search for the relevant literature was performed using PubMed and the Web of Science Core Collection databases. Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings consistently demonstrated a predominance of male cases. Expatriates, particularly individuals of Indian origin, represented the majority of cases. Suicide was more frequent among younger adults. Hanging emerged as the most frequent method, followed by jumping from a height. Additional research is required to assess the scope of the issue accurately. The implementation of targeted policies and preventive strategies is recommended, particularly for high-risk groups, such as expatriates.