Is suicide a mental health, public health, or societal problem?

Purpose of review: Suicide is a complex phenomenon wherein multiple parameters intersect: psychological, medical, moral, religious, social, economic and political. Over the decades, however, it has been increasingly and almost exclusively come to be viewed through a biomedical prism. Colonized thus by health and more specifically mental health professionals, alternative and complimentary approaches have been excluded […]

Self-harm & suicide: Examining the societal consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 response measures have increased social isolation and stress and made it harder to get mental health care. These factors may exacerbate existing mental illness and contribute to heightened risk of self-harm and suicide. • Self-harm occurs most frequently among young females and non-binary individuals, while the suicide rate is highest among middle-aged males. Populations […]

The contribution of social norms and religious practices towards low death registration in 3 HDSS sites of Uganda

Background Uganda has low levels of death registration, estimated at two per cent by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA). There are 56 tribes and over 5 religious denominations with so many social norms and religious practices that could have contributed to low death registration in Uganda. Previous studies on the factors affecting death […]