In Sweden suicide is responsible for about 1,500 deaths each year. By way of comparison, approximately 600 persons are killed in traffic accidents yearly. Swedish women are likely to experience episodes of major depression twice as much as men. However, for suicide, male gender dominates. The rate among adolescents has increased markedly, and in the 15-44 age group suicide is the main cause of death. Depression is the most common experience in elderly suicide victims, while alcoholism is the most common diagnosis in the younger. Several professions have been noted as having suicide rates higher than would be expected. Surprisingly, female physicians are one example. But in general, higher rates of suicide are more frequent in occupations of lower prestige and salary.
Our national program for suicidal prevention is based on a national strategy developed by the Centre for Research and Prevention of Suicide and Mental Ill-Health (N.A.S.P.) in collaboration with the WHO, in Geneva, and has resulted in six regional networks.
Educational efforts are particularly aimed at psychiatrists, psychotherapists, psychologists and social workers, and general practitioners. There are guidelines available for suicide prevention in schools. A great deal of emphasis has been put on education, especially at the primary care level, and by removing barriers to treatment and increasing access to help. A successful project from the province of Gotland exemplifies this, but such efforts have to be ongoing.
Even if much of the function is interdisciplinary with an integrated approach, organisations like the Churches in Sweden have not been involved more than on a voluntary basis. However, this has resulted in several crisis telephone hotlines aimed at different groups - children, students, adults for example, but much more needs to be done.
www.catholicdoctors.org.uk
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