Characteristics of people who died by suicide: record review of two and half years from the National Referral Hospital, Bhutan

Characteristics of people who died by suicide: record review of two and half years from the National Referral Hospital, Bhutan

Authors

  • Norbu Norbu Department of Forensic Medicine, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, Thimphu, Bhutan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4711-9880
  • Chencho Dorji Department of Forensic Medicine, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, Thimphu, Bhutan
  • Kuenzang Norbu Department of Forensic Medicine, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, Thimphu, Bhutan
  • Kencho Peldon Department of Forensic Medicine, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, Thimphu, Bhutan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47811/bhj.123

Keywords:

Suicide, Characteristics, Gross National Happiness

Abstract

Introduction: To address the suicide issue in the country, the Royal Government of Bhutan implemented a three year suicide prevention action plan from 1st July 2015 to 30th June 2018. As part of that action plan a national suicide registry was established under the Ministry of Health in January 2016 to collect comprehensive national data on suicide. The purpose of this study is to generate national information on suicide by analysing the suicide cases investigated and reported to suicide registry by the Forensic Department during the first two and half years. 

Methods: The study is a descriptive, retrospective and quantitative analysis of the suicide cases investigated by the Forensic Department from 1st January 2016 to 30th June 2018. The variables included the characteristics of the suicide victims.

Result: Majority of the victims were young adults with no or low education and were either unemployed or employed with less income. 56.7% of the victims were women. Majority of them did not have physical illness or disability. About 45% had some form of mental health issues. Majority of them experienced some form of acute stressful event prior to committing suicide.

Conclusion: Improved socioeconomic conditions through gainful employment, easily accessible mental health services and social support networks as well as population with good social and emotional skills will contribute to prevention of suicide in the country. 

 

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Published

2021-11-18

How to Cite

1.
Norbu N, Dorji C, Norbu K, Peldon K. Characteristics of people who died by suicide: record review of two and half years from the National Referral Hospital, Bhutan. Bhutan Health Journal [Internet]. 2021 Nov. 18 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];7(2):8-12. Available from: https://bhj.com.bt/index.php/bhj/article/view/180

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Original Article
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