Abstract
In schizophrenia suicide has been con-sistently the most common cause of pre-mature death. Approximately 60-80% ofpsychotic patients manifest suicidal idea-tion, 20-40% actively attempt suicide and10-15% complete the act.
According tostudies involving individuals with schiz-ophrenia the risk of suicide is influencedby the stage of the disease with the higherrisk during the early phase of the disease.Many risk factors are associated withthe suicidal behavior have been identi-fied such as: male sex, unemployment,and drug and alcohol abuse. Among theillness related factors depression andawareness of the illness are considered tobe the strongest predisposing factors forsuicidal behavior in this population ofpatients and can occur in any time dur-ing the course of the disease.
Despite thestudies and indications on how to reducesuicidal behavior in schizophrenia onaprimary, secondary and tertiary levelof prevention, suicidal behavior remainsamajor health problem.