Psychiatric and socioenvironmental characteristics of Bahraini suicide cases.

The characteristics of suicide victims have not been studied systematically in Arab countries. A questionnaire-guided interview of families of 29 Bahraini suicide cases from 1996 to 2005 was conducted in their homes by a social worker. Medical and psychiatric files were examined to complete the data. More suicide victims were male, young, single or divorced, unemployed and with a low education level compared with the general population. The majority of victims had chronic mental disorders, mainly schizophrenia, depression and substance abuse. The most notable environmental risks were reported to be family problems, family history of suicidal behaviour, and financial and relationship problems. The sociodemographic and clinical risk profile in Bahrain differs from other developed and developing countries.