Study of suicidal deaths at Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh Mahender G1, Kumar L Ananda2, Singh M Balaji3, Brethis4 1Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, A.C.S Medical College and Hospital, Velap-Panchavdi, Chennai 2Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh 3Prof & HOD, Dept. of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, A.C.S Medical College and Hospital, Velappanchavdi, Chennai 4Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, A.C.S Medical College and Hospital, Velappanchavdi, Chennai Online published on 13 December, 2018. Abstract Every suicide is a tragedy that affects families, communities and countries and has long-lasting effects on the people left behind. A study of suicidal deaths in a population gives an idea about their thinking pattern and impulsive tendencies, education, mental health, chronic annoying diseases and socio economic status. This study includes 294(31.54%) suicidal deaths occurred in the course of two years. Males (63.3%) outnumbered the females (36.7%); The most common age group involved was 21–30 years which included 31.7% males and 34.3% females. Most people were from rural area (65.65%) and were married (63.60%). Common method selected was poisoning (41.5%) followed by self immolation (32%), railway suicidal deaths (14.3%), hanging (11.2%) and fall from height (1.02%). Suicidal deaths can be curtailed by the collective approach of family members; improving strategies which are region specific and conducting social welfare programmes by the Government and other social groups like Non Governmental Organizations, Self Help Groups. Most important thing is to bring the change in thinking process of the people so that they are able to face stressful situations of life. Top Keywords Suicide, poisoning, drug abuse, hanging. Top |