Suicide attempts in Macapá, Amapá, Amazon Region, Brazil, in 2018

Abstract

Suicide is the human act of ending one’s life. Suicidal attitudes with the intention of death, but without leading to death are called suicide attempts, that is, they are intentional acts of self-harm without the outcome being death. This study analyzed, epidemiologically, the care provided by the Mobile Emergency Service – SAMU / AP related to suicide attempts in 2018 in Macapá / AP. A cross-sectional, descriptive and quantitative research was carried out. Data were collected from 61 records of initial care referring to the events held in 2018, from the SAMU / AP file storage system. This study allowed the expansion of the knowledge of the characteristics of the cases of suicide attempts and consummated suicides that occurred in Macapá / AP, thus enabling the support of professionals to work on interventions with the population in search of the reduction of existing statistics. It is noteworthy that the problem of the lack or notification of cases of suicide attempt performed in an insufficient manner is an important aspect for the weakening of epidemiological information, of network assistance actions and for the realization of territorialization and intersectorality in mental health. Educational actions and public policies that reinforce to the physician and the first aid teams in general the importance of the correct and complete registration of information