Psyche detect warning signs of impending suicide

Detect warning signals of the psyche, prevent suicides

Every year more than 10,000 people in Germany take their own lives. Up to 90 percent of these suicides are associated with depression and other mental illnesses. On the occasion of the World Day of Suicide Prevention, DGPPN President Prof. Dr. Ing. Arno Deister therefore wants to take a closer look at the early detection of mental illnesses in society, politics, research and care.

Every year, 10,000 people commit suicide in Germany - the equivalent of the population of a larger small town. Although the suicide rate has almost halved since the 1970s in this country, it is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 15 to 29 worldwide. Particularly alarming is the number of suicide attempts, which amounts to at least 100,000. "In 90 percent of all cases, the suicides are due to a mental illness such as depression, addictions and schizophrenia," explains DGPPN President Prof. Dr. med. Arno Deister.

"The goal must be to stop the process as early as possible, in the best case even before the psyche suffers - prevention is one of the great future topics of psychiatry. Not only doctors and scientists are in demand here, but also the entire society and the healthcare system: Health policy and self-government must absolutely ensure that tailor-made care offers are available for mentally ill people. In addition, it is essential to set the right course for science in order to achieve further breakthroughs in the study of mental illness and its development.

Even though we have already gained a lot of insights, relevant questions are still open in suicide research. Last but not least, the knowledge of mental illness and suicide in the population must be promoted, so that everyone can recognize the warning signals in his or her own environment and a treatment can be initiated in time. "(Sb)