title: Suicidal ideation and attempts among men who inject drugs in Delhi, India: psychological and social risk factors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Suicide is major public health problem in India. The objective of the analyses presented in this paper is to examine depressive and anxiety symptoms and socio-demographic indicators as correlates of suicidal ideation and attempts among people who inject drugs (PWID), a high-risk group for suicide.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analysed data collected in April-May of 2012 from a community-based sample of 420 PWID in Delhi using time location sampling. Self-report symptom scales were used to measure the severity of symptoms of depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-2) within the preceding 2 weeks. We assessed the presence of suicidal thoughts within the past 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Depressive and anxiety symptoms were associated with suicidal ideation, as were a range of social stressors including poor physical health, length of injecting drug use, housing insecurity, and experiences of violence and sexual abuse. However, depressive and anxiety symptoms were not associated with suicide attempts. Factors associated with suicide attempts among ideators were housing insecurity and relational dynamics including a poor relationship with family and, interestingly, being married.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Suicide prevention interventions among this population should address not only individual mental health and addiction support needs but also the overwhelmingly poor psychosocial circumstances of this group.
authors.affiliation: Nossal Institute for Global Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Level 4, Alan Gilbert Building, 161 Barry St, Carlton, VIC, 3010, Australia, g.armstrong@unimelb.edu.au.
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.forename: Anthony F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Jorm
authors.forename: Luke
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Samson
authors.forename: Lynette
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Joubert
authors.forename: Shalini
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kermode
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult