Prevention of Suicide in Latin America

Abstract

There is little consensus regarding which countries and territories make up what we call Latin America; nonetheless, there are certain agreements regarding common cultural elements. Since mental pathology is closely related to cultural factors and in turn suicide is closely linked to mental pathology, studying suicide in the region acquires relevance.

Given the socioeconomic characteristics of Latin American countries, to date there are few epidemiological studies, determining that in many cases public health decisions must be made taking as a reference the evidence collected in other parts of the world such as North America or Europe.

To generate suicide prevention strategies, it is essential to have an adequate understanding of the magnitude and characteristics of the phenomenon.

Unfortunately, the methodological differences between the studies that address the subject make comparisons difficult. However, the evidence would show that on the globe the suicide rates in Latin America would be lower than in the other continents, but with an upward trend during the last decade.

In relation to suicide prevention, the countries of the region, guided and accompanied by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), have been making progress in the construction of general mental health and suicide prevention programs. This constitutes a great challenge for the future as there is still much to do.

“Yo estoy aquí para contar la historia.

Desde la paz del búfalo

Hasta las azotadas arenas

De la tierra final, en las espumas

Acumuladas de la luz antártica,

Y por las madrigueras despeñadas

De la sombría paz venezolana…”

Amor América, Pablo Neruda

(Chilean poet, Nobel Prize in 1971)