title: Suicide on railroad rights-of-way: a psychological autopsy study.
abstract: Findings from 55 psychological autopsies of decedents who perished on U.S. railroad rights-of-way between October 1, 2007, and September 30, 2010 are reported. Described are distal, proximal, and contextual factors of risk; understandings of why these suicides occurred on railroad rights-of-way; and opportunities for prevention of similar suicides. International comparisons of suicides on railroad rights-of-way are made to highlight distinct findings regarding U.S. cases. Decedents studied exhibited considerable predisposing risk for suicide, with a high prevalence of severe mental disorders and substance abuse. In addition, a number of acute risk factors were commonly observed, notably suicide ideation, hopelessness, anxiety, and anger. In the context of that acute risk, associated situational variables and a relative absence of protective factors are described.
authors.affiliation: American Association of Suicidology, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Alan L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Berman
authors.forename: Ramya
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sundararaman
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: Josephine S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Au
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000786:Anger; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011890:Railroads; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult