| Abstract: | Suicide as a public health problem is generally underestimated. Deaths from suicide annually outnumber those from cancer of the respiratory system or of other common sites; more than twice as many die by suicide as from most communicable diseases combined. Most suicides are motivated by concern over ill health or domestic difficulties.A program tried in Yolo County to follow up persons who have attempted suicide indicates that a more systematic and widespread effort in this direction might be of value to the public health. It is recommended that attempts at suicide be considered a reportable disease for a one-year period and that a statewide program for following the patients be put into effect to provide rehabilitation as well as symptomatic treatment. Efforts by local health departments and private physicians are also worth while in reducing attempts at suicide. |
