El intento suicida en zonas rurales como un desafío a los modelos explicativos vigentes: discusión de una serie de casos

There are several explanatory models of suicide that emphasize risk factors such as genetic predisposition or the presence of mental health diseases in the etiological explanation of suicidal intent. The cry of despair / flight model would be a version that best includes the variables of rurality. There is also a third explanatory model that approaches the phenomenon of suicidal intention from an integrative and comprehensive vision through redrawing. Objective: To apply to the same series of cases of suicidal intent in rural areas in Ecuador the relevant aspects of the different models of explanation of suicide and discriminate the differences that each model presents in order to develop mental health tools that can be applied. Methodology: The research had a first descriptive quantitative component in which a questionnaire was applied to the medical records that had medical diagnoses related to suicidal intent. Subsequently, a semi-structured interview was administered to the participants who agreed to do so. Finally, the different models exposed to the case series were applied. Results: The questionnaire was applied to a total of 35 medical records of 35 people (n = 35). 63% (n = 22) were female, with respect to age composition about 60% (n = 21) were under 18 years. A third (n = 11) of the participants corresponded in the civil status “Not single”. All the people who were treated had easy access to the use of agrochemicals; In 91% of the cases studied, the trigger was a family discussion with their parents or their spouses. Conclusions: Models of understanding suicidal behavior or intention that contain the variables typical of rural areas are needed. Current models allow us to understand the problem partially and even with the biases of mental illness as the most relevant factor. Which will not always be successful in rural areas.