Suicide prevention in Bangladesh: The role of family

Abstract

Background: Suicide is a public health problem that gets little attention in Bangladesh especially in prevention aspects. Recent studies revealed that a significant portion of risk factors is closely related to family events. However, potential prevention strategies considering the family structure and involving family dynamics of Bangladesh have not been discussed. Objectives:We aim to highlight areas of family vulnerability and resilience when the threat of suicide is present, as well as the potential roles of family in suicide prevention in Bangladesh. Methods:We conducted a thorough narrative and focused literature search and synthesized evidence based on available articles discussing suicidality and family dynamics in Bangladesh.Results: Risk factors for suicide prevailing in the family have been organized, and several strategies for coping with family risk factors, including marital discord and family conflict have been proposed for testing empirically. Conclusions:The family has an important role to play in suicide prevention in Bangladesh. However, potential prevention strategies and their effectiveness have been untapped in the country. Studies are warranted to test the effectiveness of the proposed strategies.

Completed Suicide Linked to the COVID-19 Pandemic by Using the Psychological Autopsy Method in Sibiu County, Romania: Case Series and Literature Review

“…We identified only three married people in our study, which raises the question of the possible role of an anomic marital status (single, divorced, widower) in making these individuals more vulnerable when confronting the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. We consider the literature data indicating that the family should play an important preventive role [ 48 ] to be correct (even though family tensions were surely to arise after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic), but our findings show that these potential preventive measures would have less impact in a pandemic context.…”

Experiências vivenciadas por familiares sobreviventes ao suicídio: abordagem de narrativas biográficas

“…Para isso, no contexto das políticas públicas recomenda-se abordar o tema de maneira não alarmista e não estigmatizante, conscientizando e estimulando a prevenção do suicídio, para contribuir para o enfrentamento deste problema de saúde pública (3) . Neste contexto, os formuladores de políticas e programas de saúde devem considerar o papel importante que a família pode desempenhar na prevenção e tratamento do risco de suicídio, inclusive com o apoio da mídia de massa, em promover o debate sobre o tema, destacando a responsabilidade e a influência da conexão familiar nesse cenário (20) . Rev Gaúcha Enferm.…”

“…Diante disso, um estudo de Bangladesh (20) recomenda, enquanto estratégias de prevenção para o comportamento suicida, a promoção da resiliência familiar por meio da educação familiar sobre o comportamento suicida, os fatores de risco e de proteção nas situações identificadas, bem como realizar intervenções focadas na família para melhorar o funcionamento familiar, resolver problemas interpessoais, aumentar a integração familiar e o apoio social. Com isso, um estudo de revisão (25) revelou que aspectos e processos familiares podem servir de fatores de risco e de proteção para o suicídio, requerendo portanto intervenções psicossociais que mobilizam os recursos familiares nos diferentes situações relacionadas ao suicídio.…”

Experiences lived by family members of people who committed suicide: approach to biographic narratives

“…Thus, in the context of public policies, it is recommended that the topic be addressed in a non-alarming and non-stigmatizing way, raising awareness and encouraging people to prevent suicide, to contribute to the confrontation of this public health problem (3) . Thus, policy makers and health programs should consider the important role that can be played by the family in the prevention and treatment of suicide risk, and that can count on the support of the mass media in promoting the debate on the topic, highlighting the responsibility and the influence of family connection in this scenario (20) .…”

“…In this regard, a study from Bangladesh (20) recommends, as prevention strategies for suicidal behavior, the promotion of family resilience through family education on suicidal behavior, risk and protection factors in identified situations, as well as carry out family-focused interventions to improve family functioning, solve interpersonal problems, increase family integration and social support. A review study (25) revealed that family aspects and processes can serve as risk and protective factors for suicide, therefore requiring psychosocial interventions that mobilize family resources in different situations related to suicide.…”