This book offers a comprehensive overview of current research, clinical practice, and prevention efforts related to suicidal behavior. The first section of the book focuses on theoretical frameworks and sociocultural dimensions, exploring the subjective experiences of suicidal thoughts and behaviors within diverse social contexts. It examines theoretical models, the role of personality disorders, and perspectives from indigenous communities, as well as the experiences of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals, highlighting their implications for research and clinical practice. The second section focuses on clinical assessment and psychosocial interventions for suicide risk. It provides tools for early detection, evaluation, and intervention, while also addressing prevention and postvention strategies across various settings. Additionally, it explores the growing role of digital technologies in suicide prevention and treatment, offering insights into their potential applications and impact.
Suicide is a significant global public health issue, claiming over 700,000 lives each year. It accounts for approximately 1.3% of all deaths, with around 80% occurring in low- and middle-income countries. In this context, the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have prioritized reducing suicide mortality as a key target for improving global health by 2030.
New Perspectives on Suicidal Behavior: Cultural Context, Clinical Assessment, and Intervention is designed for clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, and other mental health students and professionals, advocating for a shift toward multidimensional, culturally informed frameworks to enhance the understanding, assessment, and intervention of suicidal behavior across diverse contexts.
Álvaro Jiménez-Molina is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Psychology and Humanities at Universidad San Sebastián in Santiago, Chile. He is a psychologist who graduated from Universidad de Chile and holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from Université Paris Cité, France. He is a Young Researcher at the Millennium Institute for Research in Depression and Personality (MIDAP) and a Principal Investigator at the Nucleus to Improve the Mental Health of Adolescents and Young People (Imhay). His research areas include the sociocultural and economic dimensions of mental disorders, self-harm and suicidality, and digital mental health.
Vania Martínez is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Medicine at Universidad de Chile in Santiago, Chile. She is a child and adolescent psychiatrist who graduated from Universidad de Chile and holds a Ph.D. in Psychotherapy from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. She is the Director of the Nucleus to Improve the Mental Health of Adolescents and Young People (Imhay) and an Adjunct Researcher at the Millennium Institute for Research in Depression and Personality (MIDAP). Her main research areas include depression, suicidality, and digital mental health interventions for adolescents and young people.
