title: Suicidal behavior during economic hard times.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Most research on suicide is quantitative, and qualitative research is needed to reveal how individuals subjectively experience and account for suicidal behaviors.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to learn about the circumstances, motivations and consequences of suicidal behavior among individuals hospitalized for attempted suicide and suicidal ideation during the global economic recession.
  
  
  METHODS
  In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with in-patients hospitalized for suicidal behavior in a state-subsidized public mental hospital and analyzed with framework analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Interpersonal conflict in the context of severe economic hardship and inadequate mental health care preceded suicidal behavior, rescue and a subsequent respite from desperate situations. Attempted suicide led to increased attention and concern from loved ones and immediate access to mental health care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Government-subsidized funding for outpatient mental health care should be sustained or increased during economic recessions to protect the most vulnerable from suicidal behavior when it is the only viable path toward immediate psychiatric treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, USA melliott@unr.edu.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary PhD Program in Social Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, USA.
authors.forename: Dara E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Naphan
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, NV, USA.
authors.forename: Barbara L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Kohlenberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D057172:Economic Recession; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000191:economics*
keywords: Suicide; community mental health care; economic hardship; narratives; recession