Suicide

This book systematically presents and classifies the latest advances in suicide research in contemporary China, examines the status quo of suicides in China and analyzes the reasons for suicides among three high-risk groups, namely: rural females, teenagers, and the elderly. It reveals the deep-seated influence of traditional Chinese values and socio-cultural customs on suicide and puts forward a way to prevent suicide. This book argues that high suicide rates stem from flaws in the social fabric. Effectively reducing suicide rates and mitigating the damage done by suicide as a social disease is not only the responsibility of the state government, but also that of social, educational and medical professionals.

This book reviews the recent research into biological aspects of suicide behavior and outlines each of the varied, recent approaches to prevent suicide. Suicidal behavior, perhaps, is the most complex behavior that combines biological, social, and psychological factors. A new frontier and new opportunities are opening with the technologies of data acquisition and data analysis. Personalized models based on digital phenotype could provide promising strategies for preventing suicide.

This book explores suicide prevention perspectives from around the world, considering both professionals’ points of view as well as first-person accounts from suicidal individuals.