[Depression and suicide prevention].
Suicide is a major public health problem and the number of suicide victims has exceeded 30,000 a year since 1998 in Japan. The rates of depression are extremely high in suicide victims. Social and environmental factors, such as the slow recovery of Japanese economy, could have a strong effect on depression and suicide, especially in middle-aged men. To reduce the number of suicide victims, we need to use both population-based and high-risk approaches, targeting individuals with high psychological and socioeconomic risks of suicide, especially depressed patients. On the other hand, the role of antidepressants in suicide prevention is a major question given the high prevalence of both depression and depression-related suicidality. Because treatment and prevention of suicide are complex and encompass many factors, success will need multi-sector collaboration.
Yamada
Mitsuhiko
M
Department of Psychogeriatrics, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry.
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012306:Risk; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D000092864:Suicide Prevention
D000928:Antidepressive Agents