Can we rely on suicide mortality data?

Accuracy in suicide statistics is expected to influence research results, policy-making in public health and mental health, and planning and funding of prevention strategies. In turn, community awareness and support services also depend on reliable reporting. Profiling the size of the suicide phenomenon and the related costs is extremely important for addressing the needs of those bereaved and fighting the stigma attached to suicidal behavior. Despite the clear need for reliable mortality data related to it, suicide possibly remains one of the most under-reported causes of death worldwide (it is rarely over-enumerated).