The World Health Organization (2014) defines violence as: “The intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment or deprivation.”
This definition should be understood to encompass physical, psychological and social problems as well as recognizing that the outcomes of violence may be broader than physical injury, disability or death.
This definition should be understood to encompass physical, psychological and social problems as well as recognizing that the outcomes of violence may be broader than physical injury, disability or death.
Self directed violence encompasses a wide range of violent behaviors including those of non fatal suicidal behavior as well as non-suicidal intentional self harm (where the intent is to perform self-mutilation not resulting in death). Included within the definition of self directed violence is the concept of suicidal behavior (i.e.: behaviors directed towards thinking about, considering or planning a suicide).
Descriptions of suicidal behavior highlights key differences among population groups.
Self directed violence has become a major public health problem through out the world. Whilst suicide reflects only a small portion of the total impact of suicidal behavior, substantially more patients are admitted to hospital as consequence of nonfatal suicide behavior than those who are fatally injured. An even grater portion are treated in the ambulatory setting, or not treated at all.
A look at the prevalence of Male: Female ratio of age-standardized suicide rates globally:
American Indians/Alaska Natives and African-Americans have their highest suicide rates among adolescents and young adults. When considering gender, suicide rates are higher among males than females, while thoughts of suicide and nonfatal suicide behavior is far more prevalent in females. Suicide rates in the age group >65 has traditionally been the highest when compared to adolescents and young adults, whilst rates of nonfatal suicidal behavior have been shown to be highest among the younger age groups and relatively low in among older adults.
- Self-directed Violence Surveillance: Uniform Definitions and Recommended Data Elements. February 2011
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