Back to Search Start Over

Paired suicide in a young refugee couple on the Thai-Myanmar border

Authors :
Gracia Fellmeth
Rose McGready
May May Oo
Billion Lay
Source :
BMJ Case Reports
Publication Year :
2016
Publisher :
BMJ Publishing Group, 2016.

Abstract

A young refugee woman attended antenatal clinic on the Thai-Myanmar border at 9 weeks' gestation. As part of an ongoing study of perinatal mental health, she underwent a structured psychiatric interview during which she described occasional depressed mood, anhedonia and passive suicidal ideation. Her husband was a young refugee known to use alcohol and drugs. 2 days later, the couple committed suicide together by herbicide ingestion. Refugee populations are at risk of developing mental disorders as a result of their marginalised status, socioeconomic disadvantage and exposures to trauma. Pregnancy may have exacerbated feelings of hopelessness in this couple. The prevalence of mental disorders such as depression is increased in the perinatal period and suicide is the second leading cause of death in young women globally. Prevention programmes and early recognition of mental disorders may improve detection and lead to better support for vulnerable individuals.

Details

Language :
English
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
BMJ Case Reports
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....4585defc3eaad5230d1dd8f7b75bd0f5