Suicidal behavior: risk factors and preventive interventions

Abstract

Suicide rates evidence a public health problem so that preventive actions are needed. The objective of this updating article is discussing about risk factors that involve the suicidal behavior and the possible interventions for its prevention in the primary health care. The most important risk factors related to suicidal behavior are: mental disorders, family background, sex, age, family relationship, drugs abuse, physical problems and unfavorable social condition. Considering that users with suicidal behavior tend to look for help in the primary health care services before dying, it is possible to prevent suicide attempts. It is necessary to provide education and habilitation for health professionals, who are active in the primary health care in order to help detecting suicide risk factors. Within this sector, the focus of care implementation must be generalized and addressed to certain populations; besides, the approach must be collective and the programs developed with the purpose of comprising all of the subjects. The knowledge of risk factors and preventive interventions against suicidal behavior provides benefits for the community and health professionals as well. Besides such knowledge, investigation and follow-up of the identified cases must be carried out in primary health care.

Descriptors: Suicide; Suicide attempts; Primary health care; Primary prevention.