Suicide during Years of Stress – Serbian Experience

Suicide is a global, ubiquitous phenomenon and one of the major causes of death at all ages and wide range of possible risk factors. Suicide and stress are intimately related, ranging from everyday life stressors, through global socioeconomic crises and economical disadvantages to major stressors such as natural or man made disasters. There is a strong association between suicidality and mental disorders, particularly depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Physicians should be alert to potential suicidal ideation when the history reveals risk factors for suicide, such as depression, PTSD, other psychiatric disorder, prior attempted suicide, recent divorce, separation, unemployment and bereavement. Dealing with consequences of stress, particularly suicidality, is a challenge to mental health professionals whose work during the years of stress has to be outside of their traditional roles. It is necessary to develop preventive strategies on high-risk population groups.