Completed Suicide among Sinhalese in Sri Lanka: A Psychological Autopsy Study

Abstract

Sri Lanka has the one of highest rates of suicide. Important factors associated with suicide were determined via the psychological autopsy approach (which had not been carried out previously in Sri Lanka). Over a 3-month period, in a catchment area, 31 suicides among Sinhalese were identified and 27 were investigated. Males were more likely to commit suicide and alcohol abuse and domestic violence were reported as contributory factors. We found it possible to use psychological autopsy methods to obtain information which can inform planned prevention measures.

Rating Scales validated for Sri Lankan populations

“…This scale assesses the risk factors and circumstances that has been present prior to a suicide (50). This scale has been translated into Sinhala and used in an epidemiological study (51).…”

Single versus Multiple Suicide Attempts: A Prospective Examination of Psychiatric Factors and Wish to Die/Wish to Live Index

“…A psychological autopsy of suicides in Finland revealed that 44% of the individuals had a previous suicide attempt (Isometsä & Lönnkvist, 1998). In Sri Lanka, 29% of individuals who died by suicide had a previous suicide attempt (Samaraweera, Sumathipala, Siribaddana, Sivayogan, & Bhugra, 2008), whereas two studies in the U.S. found that of individuals who died by suicide, 46% (Barraclough, Bunch, Nelson, & Sainsbury, 1974) and 42% of individuals had a history of suicide attempt (Conwell et al, 1998).…”

Repetition rate after non-fatal self-poisoning in Sri-Lanka: a one year prospective longitudinal study

“…The SUPRE-MISS longitudinal follow-up study [5] reported that the repetition rate at 18 months in Sri Lanka was 4% (treatment as usual group) -substantially lower than the estimated one year repetition rate of 16% reported in the West [3,6]. In contrast, the rate of previous selfharm in those who have died by suicide in Sri Lanka has been reported to be as high as 26% [7,8].…”