OBJECTIVE: In Germany roughly 10.000 persons commit suicide per year. To develop prevention strategies data regarding risk factors and potential interventions. METHODS: We performed a psychological autopsy study based on police records from the Bavarian Allgäu in southern Germany. RESULTS: We were able to analyse data on 626 suicides. The population studied showed numerous risk factors for suicide including mental illnesses in 50 % of the cases. Three quarters of the suicides had negative life events and nearly 50 % had announced their suicide. CONCLUSIONS: In the population studied mental illness alone was not a sufficient predictor for suicide. Rather, an interaction between mental illness, psychosocial crisis and other factors may explain and predict suicides. Suicide prevention should better address the needs of relatives and family doctors and offer specific low-threshold services.      «

OBJECTIVE: In Germany roughly 10.000 persons commit suicide per year. To develop prevention strategies data regarding risk factors and potential interventions. METHODS: We performed a psychological autopsy study based on police records from the Bavarian Allgäu in southern Germany. RESULTS: We were able to analyse data on 626 suicides. The population studied showed numerous risk factors for suicide including mental illnesses in 50 % of the cases. Three quarters of the suicides had negative life e...     »