Suicide notes: psychological and clinical profile

Abstract

Objective: Suicide is one of the leading causes of mortality in developing as well as developed countries. Psychological autopsy is supplementary to medical autopsy in finding out the correct cause of death. Suicide notes form an important component of psychological autopsy.

Method: In the present study, psychosocial and clinical profile of 40 suicide note writers is present. The contents of suicide notes were also analysed.

Results: A majority of suicide note writers were to 21 to 30 years of age (55%) and were males (65%). Home was the most common place for committing suicide (80%) and hanging was the most common method. All suicide notes were handwritten and a last wish was mentioned in 30%. Suicide note was most commonly addressed to a sibling (20%). Disturbed love affair and financial problems were the common reasons mentioned in suicide notes. Hopelessness and depression was the most common diagnosis in 52.5% cases.

Conclusion: More studies are warranted to detect and analyze the suicide notes so that they not only help in confirming cause of death as suicide but also help in suicide prevention programs.