Natural disasters and suicidal behaviours
Citation: Kõlves K, Kõlves KE, De Leo D. Natural disasters and suicidal behaviours: a systematic literature review. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2013;146(1):1–14.
What is this?
Disasters caused by natural hazards can lead to psychological problems and may even lead to suicidal behaviours. Suicidal behaviour includes suicidal ideation, non-fatal suicide attempts and behaviours, and completed suicide.
In this systematic review, the authors searched for studies of the potential impact between disasters caused by natural hazards and suicidal behaviours, and possible vulnerability factors. They restricted their searches to peer-reviewed articles published in English between 1966 and 2011. They included 42 studies of which 20 studies focused on earthquakes in six countries. The studies were from the China (2 studies), Italy (1), Japan (4), Taiwan (9), Turkey (2) and USA (2).
What was found?
Suicide rates amongst the general population decreased or remained relatively the same to pre-earthquake levels. However, victims of earthquakes were 1.71 times more likely to commit suicide than non-victims.
Previous and current mental health problems, low socio-economic status, unemployment, and development of physical disability after the earthquake seemed to be contributing factors that increased the likelihood of developing suicidal behaviour. Severe destruction to property, injuries to or loss of relatives, and danger to one’s life also increased the risk of suicidal behaviour.
There was no clear direction in suicide mortality following disasters caused by natural hazards.
Implications: At the time of this review, the authors suggested that healthcare providers should monitor mental health and suicidal behaviours of victims of earthquakes for several years after the disaster and provide special attention to those that may be impacted economically by the earthquake, those that are psychologically vulnerable due to injury, bereavement, or previous and current mental health problems.
This summary was written by Div Patel, checked by Natalie Palumbo and finalized by Mike Clarke.
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