[Suicide and suicidal behaviors in Mexico: Retrospective and current status]

Abstract

Objective: To summarize the epidemiology of completed suicide and suicidal behavior in Mexico.

Material and methods: National data registries on mortality from the year 1970 to 2007 and cross-sectional surveys were used to analyze suicide mortality and suicidal behavior.

Results: The suicide rate grew 275% from 1970 to 2007. Suicide has been increasing among Mexicans 15-29 years old since 1970. In adults aged 18-29 years the lifetime prevalence of ideation was 9.7%, and attempt 3.8%. About 6,601,210 Mexicans had suicidal thoughts, 593,600 attempted suicide and 99,731 used some sort of medical service as a direct consequence of the latter in the year prior to the survey.

Conclusions: Suicide and suicide-related behaviors are significant public health problems and, as such, actions are urgently required to identify and treat persons with suicidal thoughts, assess suicidal risk in patients with psychiatric disorders and implement population interventions.