An important cause of pre-mature death and of hospitalisation is related to acts of self-harm and suicide, including suicide attempts. Suicide is a result of a long process during which problems accumulate little by little until they finally seem insurmountable. However, suicide always happens suddenly and is rarely predicted by others.
The issue of self-harm and suicide is strongly related to mental health and in particular the prevention of depression. There is a need for a change in the public perception of self-harm and suicide. Health professionals, teachers, community workers and relatives play a key role by being alert when a person carries known risk factors for suicide. Training and education of these professionals, and of the public in general, will contribute to the early detection of people at risk and to the prevention of suicide.
