National Prevention of Suicide and Mental Ill-Health

Background The Awareness program was designed as a part of the EU-funded Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe (SEYLE) intervention study to promote mental health of adolescents in 11 European countries by helping them to develop problem-solving skills and encouraging them to self-recognize the need for help as well as how to help peers in need.

Temperamental traits of impulsive aggression, neuroticism and introversion have also been implicated in suicidal risk. However, it is unlikely that these factors, themselves, can explain suicide. As regard genetic effects, suggestive evidence has been reported for serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4), serotonin receptor 2A (5HTR2A), Tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH1, TPH2), Cathecholo-methyl tranferase (COMT) and Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

Suicide is a major public health problem in the WHO European Region accounting for over 150,000 deaths per year. SUICIDAL CRISIS: Acute intervention should start immediately in order to keep the patient alive. DIAGNOSIS: An underlying psychiatric disorder is present in up to 90% of people who completed suicide. Comorbidity with depression, anxiety, substance abuse and personality disorders is high.