Can Religion Protect Against Suicide?
The vast majority of the world's population is affiliated with a religious belief structure, and each of the major faith traditions (in its true form) is strongly opposed to suicide. Ample literature supports the protective effect of religious affiliation on suicide rates. Proposed mechanisms for this protective effect include enhanced social network and social integration, the degree of religious commitment, and the degree to which a particular religion disapproves of suicide. We review the sociological data for these effects and the general objections to suicide held by the faith traditions. We explore how clinicians may use such knowledge with individual patients, including routinely taking a religious/spiritual history. The clinician who is aware of the common themes among the faith traditions in opposition to suicide is better prepared to address religious/spiritual matters, as appropriate, in crisis situations. The clinician who understands the patient's belief system is also better prepared to request consultation with religious professionals when indicated.
*Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven; †Forensic Services, Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Hartford, CT; ‡Mission Health System, Asheville, NC; §OVL Clinic, South Beach Psychiatric Center, Staten Island; and ∥State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY.
Michael A
MA
Norko
David
D
Freeman
James
J
Phillips
William
W
Hunter
Richard
R
Lewis
Ramaswamy
R
Viswanathan
D001294:Attitude to Health; D006801:Humans; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D000092864:Suicide Prevention