ABSTRACT
This chapter identifies the prevalence of suicide across the world is explored, and characteristics of the determinants of higher rates of suicide. It describes the national policies and health-care system methods that effectively deliver suicide prevention and reduction. The chapter describes the critical role of primary care in developing servicedelivery systems, team training and integrated care pathways that reduce suicide. It considers the management of suicidality in areas where primary care is less well developed, such as low-income countries where the role of general practitioners is less well developed. The chapter explores a special emphasis on the role of community health workers, spiritual leaders and other opinion leaders in local communities. Beliefs and attitudes towards suicide differ greatly between different cultures and religions. Ethnicity has been found to play a major part in suicide. Ethnic minorities are at particular risk when living in an area of low ethnic density.
