Unmasking depression in persons attempting suicide

Abstract

Background: Suicidal behaviour is highly prevalent and increasing at an alarming rate among all socio-demographic groupings in South Africa. Approximately 9.5% of all unnatural deaths in young people in South Africa are due to suicide. The ratio of non-fatal suicide attempts to attempts with fatal outcomes varies between 20:1 and 40:1 depending on the geographical region and the community composition being studied. Although depression is a common co-existing finding in many studies involving patients with suicidal behaviour, current evidence suggests that it is either not detected or it is inappropriately managed in clinical practice. Aim: This study compared self-reported perceived and objectively assessed personal physical and mental well-being of adults attempting suicide and being admitted to two local community-based public hospitals in South Africa. Method: Validated questionnaires were used to elicit relevant data from 688 adults attempting suicide and being admitted to two community-based public hospitals in Durban which was analysed using SPSS®. Results: The majority of participants were female, single, younger age group, unemployed, low education and low income level. Only 30.3% of participants reported long-standing illnesses lasting more than 6 months. The majority perceived their physical and mental health to be normal. However, an objective assessment revealed a large number of participants to be suffering from varying levels of depression. Conclusion:The study population comprised mainly the younger age group in both sexes, and showed that depression is an important co-morbid risk factor in suicidal behaviour in this and other groups. This finding cannot be ignored, and the authors endorse the call for a scaling up of screening strategies to diagnose depression, and for an improved prevention and management framework.

Profile of parasuicide cases attending Brits Hospital, North West Province, South Africa: a 5-year chart review

“…14,15 In the Limpopo province of South Africa, methods varied according to the knowledge possessed by patients (both male and female) as well as their determination to commit the act. 11 No previous health conditions, e.g. medical or psychiatric symptoms were found in most of the Brits patients (85.7%) prior to their admission to hospital.…”

“…10 And continuing in South Africa, in Limpopo province as well as in Durban, depression and other conditions such as HIV were noted among the parasuicide cases. 11,12 The main reasons for parasuicide deduced from research at Brits Hospital were a relationship problem (43.4%) followed by unemployment (29.4%). Patients alluded to a relationship problem, or romantic relationship, in the Western Cape, South Africa 10 as well as in Pakistan where marital con icts were causing stress to women.…”

“…The methods used in different cases varied, based on knowledge and the determination to die. 11 Nearly 10% of unnatural deaths among young people in South Africa are related to suicidal behaviour affecting almost all social demographic groups. This suicidal behaviour is increasing in prevalence and there are more suicide attempts with non-fatal outcomes than those with fatal outcomes.…”

Unpacking Q-Research: Context-Specific Considerations and Implications for Climate Change Education in Rural Areas

“…South Africa is one of the more multi-cultural countries in the world, and this cultural diversity is epitomized by the title “Rainbow Nation” (Iacob & Dumitrescu, 2012; Naidoo, 2011). In 2016, South Africa had an estimated population of 55.6 million individuals, which is represented mostly by four distinct population groups: Black African, White, Colored, and Indian/Asian (Stats-sa, 2017).…”