Suicide is a major health problem, showing an increasing tendency in m
any developed countries. In this synthetic review, having briefly desc
ribed the possible risk factors of suicide, those recent strategies th
at have been proved to be effective methods of reducing the suicide ra
te are summarised. Psychiatric illness, first of all the affective dis
orders (particularly in the case of a previous suicide attempt), are t
he most powerful predictors of this manner of death. Early recognition
and appropriate treatment of affective and other psychiatric disorder
s, as well as aftercare of persons with a high suicidal risk are, cons
equently, the most successful methods of preventing suicide. Training
health-care workers in order to increase their knowledge on the means
of suicide prevention and educating patients so as to improve their co
mpliance is highly beneficial. Since health care professionals can hel
p only those patients who contact them, public education on the sympto
ms, dangers and the treatable nature of depression, other psychiatric
illnesses and psychological crises becomes also very important.