Psychiatry Research EG

Suicide is a major, but preventable public health problem. In 2007, it was the 10th leading cause of death in the USA, accounting for 34 598 deaths. The WHO estimates that one suicide attempt occurs approximately every 3 s, and one suicide occurs approximately every minute [1]. Attempted suicide is not only a major risk factor for subsequent suicide but also a morbid health event that results in personal suffering and considerable economic cost [2]. Suicide attempt involves situations in which a person performs a life-threatening act with the intent of putting his/her life into danger or giving the appearance of such an intent. On average, over their life time, about 10–15% of individuals making nonfatal suicide attempts eventually kill themselves [3]. However, suicide attempts are significant predictors of subsequent completed suicide, as well as important in their own right as indicators of extreme psychological distress [4]. Perhaps the most common cause of suicide attempts is that the patient loses control of his or her emotions during a fit of anger, disappointment, frustration, or the like [5]. However, societal suicide rates differ widely [6]; such rate variations are associated with economic variables between nations, the difference in genetic structures, variable prevalence of psychiatric disorders with a high risk of suicide, the difference in the societal composition, with different proportions of age groups, and national differences in social variables regarding social integration, and social regulation [6]. The latest official Kuwait demographic profile has revealed that the total population of Kuwaiti is 2 595 628, of whom 1 291 354 are non-nationals, with a net migration rate of 0.65 migrant(s)/1 000 populations. It includes different ethnic groups, where Kuwaiti constitute 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, and others 7% [7]. Accordingly, considering the huge number of expatriates besides its own native citizens and the fact that ethnic studies are rare in the Arab Gulf region (GR), despite with the presence of multiple racial and ethnic minorities, this study was designed in order to determine the rate of suicide attempts and ethnic differences in suicide attempts in Kuwait, with regard to the sociodemographics of the attempters, psychiatric morbidity, as well as suicide intention and the methods used in these attempts.