Agudelo-Hernández F, Amaya NV, Cardona M. Suicide in a Colombian indigenous community: Beyond mental illness.
Int J Soc Psychiatry 2023;
69:1986-1995. [PMID:
37392003 DOI:
10.1177/00207640231183922]
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Abstract
BACKGROUND
Among the causes associated with suicide there are social factors such as forced displacement has been described and health factors in general that have an impact on pediatric mental health.
AIMS
To describe clinical and psychosocial factors, and their relationship with suicidal behavior in a Colombian indigenous community.
PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING
The mean age were 9.23 years old, 53.7% male and 46.3% female.
METHOD
Mixed approach study. A thematic analysis was carried out with the youth of the community to investigate emotional aspects. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out and correlations between variables were made.
RESULTS
Correlations were found between suicidal behavior and medical findings. When comparing the mental health disorders and nutritional problems, statistically significant differences were found in the Suicide Risk domain (<.001). This was reaffirmed in the thematic analysis, where factors such as migration and difficulty understanding the language are highlighted as related to suicidal behavior in the pediatric population.
CONCLUSIONS
Suicidal behavior should not be approached solely from psychopathology. Hunger, the weakening of one's own culture, armed conflict, migration, and other clinical conditions are found to be associated with suicidal behavior.
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