title: Mysore study: A study of suicide notes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Suicide is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths. Recent data suggest South India as one of the regions with highest suicide rates in the world. In 2013, 134,799 people committed suicide in India according to the statistics released by the National Crime Records Bureau. Suicide note is one of the most important sources to understand suicide, which may be beneficial in suicide prevention. Studies on suicidal notes from this part of the world are sparse.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to study the themes in suicide notes that might be useful in prevention strategies.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive study of all suicide notes of those individuals who committed suicide between 2010 and 2013 available with Police Department, Mysore district was obtained and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 22 suicide note were available. A majority of suicide note was in age group of 16-40 years (86%) and most were men (59%). All suicide notes were handwritten, the majority (70%) in regional language Kannada. Length of notes varied from just few words to few pages. Contents of suicide notes included apology/shame/guilt (80%), love for those left behind (55%) and instruction regarding practical affairs (23%). Most have blamed none for the act (50%). 23% mentioned that they are committing suicide to prove their innocence. 32% mentioned a last wish.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of suicidal note contained "guilt" which is a strong indicator of possible depression in deceased. Creating awareness about suicide among public and ensuring access to professionals trained in suicide prevention is need of the hour in this part of the world.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, JSS Medical College and Hospital, JSS University, Mysore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Namratha
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, JSS Medical College and Hospital, JSS University, Mysore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kishor
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, JSS Medical College and Hospital, JSS University, Mysore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Sathyanarayana Rao
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, JSS Medical College and Hospital, JSS University, Mysore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Rajesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Raman
keywords: Guilt; prevention strategies; suicide; suicide note
references.citation: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2002 Apr;37(4):190-7
references.pmid: 12027246
references.citation: Suicide Life Threat Behav. 2006 Dec;36(6):709-15
references.pmid: 17250475
references.citation: Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet. 2005 Feb 15;133C(1):8-12
references.pmid: 15645530
references.citation: Nervenarzt. 2006 Nov;77(11):1355-6, 1358-60, 1362
references.pmid: 16028079
references.citation: Int J Psychiatry Med. 2003;33(4):323-31
references.pmid: 15152783
references.citation: Indian J Psychiatry. 2005 Apr;47(2):73-8
references.pmid: 20711285
references.citation: Suicide Life Threat Behav. 1998 Spring;28(1):62-8
references.pmid: 9560167
references.citation: Crisis. 1999;20(3):106-14
references.pmid: 10553305
references.citation: Indian J Psychiatry. 2009 Oct-Dec;51(4):261-4
references.pmid: 20048450
references.citation: Indian J Psychiatry. 2013 Jul;55(3):256-63
references.pmid: 24082246
references.citation: Suicide Life Threat Behav. 1998 Spring;28(1):69-81
references.pmid: 9560168
references.citation: J Clin Psychol. 1981 Jan;37(1):50-2
references.pmid: 7204608
references.citation: Indian J Psychiatry. 1990 Oct;32(4):305-8
references.pmid: 21927481
references.citation: Indian J Psychiatry. 2012 Apr;54(2):172-6
references.pmid: 22988326
references.citation: Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1998 Dec;98(6):467-73
references.pmid: 9879789
references.citation: Perspect Psychiatr Care. 1998 Oct-Dec;34(4):26-31
references.pmid: 10076428
references.citation: Singapore Med J. 1984 Feb;25(1):30-3
references.pmid: 6463659