A study analyzes for the first time the content of suicide notes to find out how the person felt before ending their life
Researchers from the UGR, ibs.GRANADA and the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital in Granada analyze the content of the suicide notes and the observations collected by the coroner on the circumstances and contexts of the death by suicide
Although these notes are left in a minority of cases, the majority are farewell messages (39,04%), followed by notes that focused on explaining the reason for suicide and those that left instructions on how to proceed or on the distribution of your goods or other requests
Researchers from the University of Granada (UGR), the ibs.GRANADA and the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital in Granada have analyzed in a study the observations collected by the coroner on the circumstances and contexts of death by suicide and the content of the suicide notes.
The analysis of the circumstances and contexts of death by suicide in the reports of forensic histories shows the relationship of death by suicide with problematic life situations related to family and health and with emotional states of loss and sadness. Likewise, this work improves the understanding of the situations and states of mind that lead to this act and reveals the failures of the health system to detect and act on signs of vulnerability.
To carry out this research, the authors explored 743 forensic report histories where the expert result of the autopsy had determined death by suicide in the province of Granada, during the years 2007 to 2013. Of these, the cases that contained observations of the forensic study on the deceased and the circumstances of the suicide, a total of 286 cases. It was a population group with a mean age of 53 years, in which 77.3% were men, the method used in 64% was hanging and suicide notes were located in 105 cases.
Regarding the antecedents and context of the suicidal act, the analysis of these forensic observations of the Granada population revealed the key importance of the family context, previous suicide attempts, diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder, and adverse life events, especially those related to suicide. health and family.
A history of previous suicide attempts and having a physical illness were more present in men, while having a mental illness was almost the same in men and women. Mental illness was related to depressive states followed by addictions (for example, alcohol, drugs, or gambling). In addition, some situations of gender violence, abuse or mistreatment were also recorded.
Need to communicate your thoughts or emotions
“Research on the content of the notes is very interesting to get closer to knowing how the person felt before ending their life. The presence of a note indicates that the person has a need to communicate her thoughts or emotions and shows her connection with others at the time of writing it. You can consider it the last chance to leave a message”, explains Yolanda Mejías Martín, co-investigator in charge of the Ee12-Hygia research group of the UGR and the ibs Granada.
Although these notes are left in a minority of cases, their content was classified, in most cases, as farewell messages (39,04%), followed by notes that focused on explaining the reason for the suicide and those who left instructions on how to proceed or on the distribution of their assets or other requests.
With the information obtained, a narrative could be built from the notes of a population in the province of Granada, mostly men, who offered an explanation or excuse for the fact or sought forgiveness, revealing the role in their psychological anguish of isolation, the heartbreak, pain, illness, disability and the desire to avoid being a burden to others.
With the data obtained from this group of people who died by suicide, the authors have identified that 6,29% had gone previously, or a few days before, to the emergency services or to a doctor's office for various problems, such as a worsening of their condition , mental illness, anxiety or suicidal thoughts.
“This situation shows that there are failures to detect and prevent imminent suicides. Regardless of the reason why this problem was not evaluated, either because it was not identified in the medical interview or because the level of risk was not evaluated, it is important that in suicide prevention measures consider the training of suicide professionals. health”, highlights Mejías.
The study of forensic observations and suicide notes improves the understanding of the situations and moods that lead to this act and reveals the failures of the health system to detect and act on signs of vulnerability. This information is essential to support the design of targeted preventive strategies.
This research, recently published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, It has been developed with the data obtained from the Forensic Medical Institute of Granada on the deaths by suicide of the Doctoral Thesis of Yolanda Mejías Martín.
In the photo, UGR researcher Yolanda Mejías Martín.
Bibliographic reference:
Mejías-Martín, Y.; Martí-García, C.; Rodríguez-Mejías, Y.; Esteban-Burgos, AA; Cruz-Garcia, V.; García-Caro, MP Understanding for Prevention: Qualitative and Quantitative Analyzes of Suicide Notes and Forensic Reports. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20, 2281. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032281
Contact:
Yolanda Mejias Martin
Co-Investigator Responsible for the Ee12-Hygia research group
University of Granada – ibs.Granada
Nurse at the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital.