Suicide-related communication and circumstances surrounding suicide: Study of police records in Slovenia.

Abstract

We analyzed 546 police reports of suicides in Slovenia from 2012 to 2022 to examine suicide-related communication (SRC) and the circumstances surrounding suicide by gender and method. In 34.4% of cases, individuals directly expressed their intention to end their lives, while another 26.4% communicated their intent indirectly. In 29.9% of cases, no communication was detected. No gender differences in SRC were observed. Identified circumstances surrounding suicide included diagnosed mental disorders (37.5%), chronic illness or pain (27.8%), alcohol abuse (14.5%), family conflict (11.0%) and the loss of a loved one (10.1%). The prevalence of diagnosed mental disorders was lower in firearm-specific cases than in other methods. Additionally, individuals with chronic illness or pain were more likely to die by firearm or drowning than by different methods. These findings can inform interventions aimed at educating professional and lay gatekeepers on identifying and responding to individuals at risk.