Synopsis

We have tried our best to cover all aspects of suicide. Chapters have delved into the psycho-social theories of suicide to its neurobiological underpinnings, medical disorders leading to suicide to various psychiatric disorders associated with suicide. A separate chapter on nomenclature tries to provide clarity amongst confusing and overlapping terms related to suicide. Suicide in the youth, suicide in women and suicide in farmers have been dealt with separately because of their special importance. The role of media in suicide contagion as well as suicide prevention has been talked about all over the world. The chapter on media and suicide talks about the role of Indian media in influencing suicide. A chapter on risk assessment has been kept to fill the gap of lack of risk assessment across emergency settings in the country. A chapter deals with available suicide helpline services in the country. Awareness of the laws in relation to the act of suicide is essential to deal with suicidal patients and their family members. Hence, this has been made a separate chapter. The perspective of suicide survivors has been effectively dealt with in a separate chapter. Finally, the concluding chapter deals with strategies and policies of the government directed at suicide prevention. Overall, the book has the potential to be used as a textbook as well as a reference for all health professionals, students of humanities, public health and research.