suicidium

Suicidium is the act of intentionally taking one’s own life. The term is of Latin origin and appears in historical, medical, and forensic texts; in common usage, suicide is the standard word. In forensic practice, suicidium denotes a self-inflicted death with clear intent to die, while deaths with unclear intent may be classified as undetermined.

Suicidium is distinguished from accidental death and homicide by the presence of self-directed intent. Clinicians and investigators generally classify cases as completed suicides, suicide attempts (non-fatal self-harm with intent to die), or suicidal ideation (thoughts about self-harm). The determination of intent can be complex and relies on medical history, context, and, when available, evidence from the deceased’s communications or statements.

Global epidemiology shows that suicide accounts for roughly 700,000 deaths per year, with substantial regional and demographic variation. Risk factors include mental disorders (notably depression and bipolar disorder), substance use, prior suicide attempts, chronic illness, acute psychosocial stressors, and exposure to others’ suicides. Protective factors encompass access to mental health care, social connectedness, coping skills, and crisis intervention resources.

Prevention emphasizes multiple strategies: early identification and treatment of mental illness, means restriction (limiting access to common methods of self-harm), crisis support services and hotlines, responsible media reporting, and postvention support for affected communities. Integrating suicide risk assessment into primary care and emergency services, along with public health campaigns, can reduce incidence in populations.

Legally and ethically, attitudes toward suicidium vary. In many jurisdictions suicide is no longer a crime, while assisted suicide and euthanasia are governed by separate laws and ongoing ethical debates about autonomy, decision-making capacity, and the role of medical professionals.