Suicide (IN: World Mental Health: Problems and Priorities in Low-Income Countries by R Desjarlais, L Eisenberg, B Good & A Kleinman)

Global trends in suicide rates are discussed. Suicide rates among youth & the elderly & gender differences are compared. Suicide in the South Pacific, Sri Lanka, & India is examined in greater detail. Some reasons for suicide are discussed, with emphasis on psychopathology & social factors. The social meanings of suicide in various cultures & the means of completing suicide are reviewed. A call is made for an interdisciplinary approach to suicide prevention & 9 conclusions are presented.