But as you have heard and will hear today, I believe that European policymakers at local, regional, national and international levels are beginning to address this difficult challenge. But policymakers should not be daunted by the nature, scale or sensitivity of the suicide issue. Much can be done to prevent suicide and attempted suicide. Social circumstances such as loneliness, social isolation, poverty, and homelessness can be mitigated. Psychological distress and mental breakdown can be alleviated by psychosocial measures.
Psychiatric disorders are treatable with psychotherapy and drugs.
A high percentage of suicidal people are in contact with health services. And the perceptions and reactions of others, including carers, to this communication. The culturally rooted attitudes that may be observed in responses to suicidal communication probably play an important role in promoting or preventing suicide. More attention should be paid to suicidal communication in order to eliminate the misconception that people who talk about suicide never commit it. A focus on suicide is directly relevant to mental health strategy in primary care, especially improved detection and treatment of depression.