Suicide

In recent years research into suicide has grown and significant advances have been made in clarifying the phenomenological and clinical profile of the potential suicide victim, as well as in identifying some of the biological, psychological and sociological risk factors for self-destructive behaviour. The knowledge so far collated, has shed light on many aspects of suicidal behaviour and provides a sound ground in answering the question, "What leaves a person with no other choice but to terminate his life?" Suicide represents a complex and multi-factorial human behavior and as such, raises a variety of theoretical, clinical, ethical and legal issues, which can only be successfully addressed by concerted multi-disciplinary research efforts. This text is based on a selection of papers presented at the International Conference on Suicide, held in Athens in 1996, where contributions by renowned researchers in the field were made. It covers a wide range of issues currently related to suicide, as well as selecting the main topics from the central presentations of the Conference.
The reader is provided with an integrative perspective on current approaches in the understanding of suicide, a major problem in public health, and a challenging enigma of human nature.
 
In recent years research into suicide has grown and significant advances have been made in clarifying the phenomenological and clinical profile of the potential suicide victim, as well as in identifying some of the biological, psychological and sociological risk factors for self-destructive behaviour. The knowledge so far collated, has shed light on many aspects of suicidal behaviour and provides a sound ground in answering the question, "What leaves a person with no other choice but to terminate his life?" Suicide represents a complex and multi-factorial human behavior and as such, raises a variety of theoretical, clinical, ethical and legal issues, which can only be successfully addressed by concerted multi-disciplinary research efforts. This text is based on a selection of papers presented at the International Conference on Suicide, held in Athens in 1996, where contributions by renowned researchers in the field were made. It covers a wide range of issues currently related to suicide, as well as selecting the main topics from the central presentations of the Conference.
The reader is provided with an integrative perspective on current approaches in the understanding of suicide, a major problem in public health, and a challenging enigma of human nature.