Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Suicide in Portugal: Spatial determinants in a context of economic crisis

2015; Elsevier BV; Volume: 35; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.healthplace.2015.07.001

1873-2054

Paula Santana, Cláudia Costa, Graça Cardoso, Adriana Loureiro, João Ferrão,

Suicide and Self-Harm Studies

This study compares the existing statistical association between suicide mortality and the characteristics of places of residence (municipalities), before and during the current economic crisis, in Portugal. We found that (1) the traditional culture-based North/South pattern of suicidal behaviour has faded away, while the socioeconomic urban/rural divide has become more pronounced; (2) suicide is associated with higher levels of rurality and material deprivation; and (3) recent shifts in suicidal trends may result from the current period of crisis. Strategies targeting rural areas combined with public policies that address area deprivation may have important implications for tackling suicide.