Suicidal Behaviour in the Syrian Arab Republic

Prevalence studies provided in Syria have emphasized common mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, with less emphasis on severe mental health presentations including self-harm and suicidal behaviour. The mortality rate due to suicide inside Syria increased from 1.5 to 2 per 100,000 between 2010 and 2019. Choice of suicide methods varies across different cultures, depending on factors such as knowledge about effective lethal ways, which are sometimes culture specific, and access to means. Psychosocial determinants of suicidal behaviour are young age, female, interpersonal conflicts, conflict with spouse, forced and early marriages, violence in the household, dowry disputes, overcrowding, poverty, hunger, illiteracy and low education, conflict with in-laws, impulsivity, affective states of hopelessness and helplessness, adjustment, depressive and trauma-related disorders, stigma associated with mental health problems and suicidality, lack of awareness and lack of mental health services. The long-lasting war, instability, chaos and significant economic problems that followed it also has a significantly negative impact. It is in the interest of public safety and proper functioning of the legal system that every case of suicide be confirmed and unambiguously differentiated from natural death, homicide or accident. The WHO’s position is that decriminalization of suicide helps combat stigma and makes it easier for suicidal persons to seek help.