International Perspectives: Reflections on Suicidology for 1997 (IN: Review of Suicidology, 1997, edited by R W Maris, M M Silverman & S S Canetto)

This chapter reflects on past & present approaches to understanding & treating suicide, from biological to psychological, but points out that none are complete as suicide rates remain unchanged. Advances in suicide understanding & prevention in 1996-97 are discussed, including a study on depression in Europe, WHO’s difficulty in determining suicide rates since declaring death a “suicide” is at the coroner’s discretion, and the need to better educate physicians about suicide. (25 refs.)