[Suicide in Portugal]

Firstly suicide and parasuicide are defined and their respective characteristics are described. Some classifications of suicide and suicidal behaviors are analysed, mainly those which emphasize the clinical aspects. Certain models which undertake to explain the suicide are briefly reviewed, namely those which see the suicide as a deviant behaviour as well as those which see the suicide as a disease. Some epidemiologic features of suicide and parasuicide in Europe are reported, with special emphasis on Portugal. Suicidal risk factors, namely biomedical, psychological, social, cultural, environmental and symptomatic are analysed. The predictive evaluation of suicide is pointed out and some suicide prevention strategies are discussed. Finally the dependence of suicide on individual life cycles, on psychological, social and cultural conditions and on cultures and societies cycles is considered.