Forensic Psychiatry and Forensic Psychology: Suicide Predictors and Statistics

The study of suicide and suicidal behaviors provides the necessary datasets for the understanding of these multifaceted and complex phenomena. Suicidal behavior and rates differ across countries, populations, and cultures. Psychiatric illness (such as depression, personality disorder, alcohol/drug dependence, and schizophrenia), suicidal ideation, chronic physical illness, social isolation, hopelessness, and easy access to lethal methods of suicide are some of the well-identified risk factors for suicide. An international snapshot of suicide, with particular reference to risk factors, is given along with a brief discussion on the best practices in suicide prevention.