A ssessment of Suicide Risk : Practical Issues

Suicide is a major public health problem worldwide with complex multifactorial origins. More than 800,000 lives worldwide are lost to suicide every year, and Asia accounts for more than 60% of such deaths. India has seen a steady increase in the incidence of suicidal deaths in the last five decades.1 The estimated suicide-related death rate in India is 21/100,000, which is nearly twice the global average (11.4/100,000) and translates into more than 230,000 lives lost annually.2 Assessment of suicide risk is of utmost importance and is considered one of the key area and responsibilities of a consultant psychiatrist.