Falling suicide rates in Sri Lanka: lessons and cautions
Abstract
Among the likely major contributors to the recent decline in suicides in Sri Lanka are a reduction in widespread and ready access to highly lethal agrochemicals, better management of persons admitted to hospitals with self-harm and a decline in sensationalized reporting of suicide in print and electronic media – possibly accompanied by a shift in public attitude away from considering self-harm as a natural and expected reaction to any form of distress.Open-minded and concerned discussion should continue,to ensure that gains are improved upon. Attention needs to be paid to some measures that are gradually being eroded.
© 2013 Diyanath Samarasinghe, published by Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists
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