Open AccessSuicidality in health crisis: Case reports
Author(s) -
Mina Cvjetković Bošnjak
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
sanamed
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2217-8171
pISSN - 1452-662X
DOI - 10.24125/sanamed.v15i2.444
Subject(s) - psychiatry , depression (economics) , mental health , suicide prevention , anxiety , public health , pandemic , medicine , covid-19 , psychology , poison control , medical emergency , disease , nursing , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , economics , macroeconomics
Suicide represents a major health problem of great importance for public health in Serbia. In the whole world in last decades, the number of committed suicides is constantly increasing. The most dramatic increase is the number of committed suicides among adolescents, but also among the elderly, over 65 years of age. Serbia ranks 13th in Europe in terms of the number of suicide(13.6/100.000 inhabitants) and Vojvodina is at the top place as region in Serbia (15.3/100.000 inhabitants). It is alarming that suicide attempts are 10-15 times more frequent, as well as that a large number of people who have committed suicide in the last month have reported in medical institutions with various problems. Situations and conditions that increase suicide risk are mental disorders and chronic physical illness, as well as life crises, which include pandemic. Also of great importance is positive heredity, as well as previous suicide attempts. Usually, during crisis, number of suicide attempts and committed suicides decline, but after crisis there is lot of evidence that symptoms of anxious and depressive disorders increase and number of suicide attempts and committed suicides is growing up. Case reports: In presented case reports the rigger for a suicide attempt was the current situation during the covid-19 epidemic. One of the leading reasons for the increase in number of attempted and committed suicides is the unrecognition and lack of treatment of mental disorder symptoms. Most frequently symptoms of depression and severe anxiety result in a suicide attempt. Early recognition and treatment either with psycho and/or pharmacotherapy in a significant percentage can reduce the number of attempted and committed suicides. Conclusion: In current pandemic and in next period, it is necessary for medical staff to look after various, but mostly depressive and anxious symptoms in patients, that frequently result in suicide attempt, if stay unrecognized and untreated. That is the best way to prevent suicide and to improve mental health, as it is very important for national interests.