Original scientific paper
Suicide and other Violent Death Cases in Norwegian Peacekeeping Forces
Siri Thorensen
Lars Mehlum
Anne Lie Andreassen
Abstract
In a population of former Norwegian UN personnel serving in UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon) in the period 1978-1991, was found a 43% increased mortality of suicide and a 28% increase in the mortality of other violent death. These findings have contributed to the development of suicide prevention strategies targeting Norwegian UN personnel. Suicide prevention strategies in the Norwegian UN forces before the mission focus on self-help, buddy aid and leader responsibilities. In theatre focus is put on crisis interventions. After completing the mission, high risk groups are identified for systematic follow-up procedures. Current plans for improvement of the existing suicide prevention strategy focus on development of individual screening procedures better adapted to male symptomatology, and current research targets investigations of committed suicides and other violent deaths amongst Norwegian UN veterans.
Keywords
suicide; UN personnel; prevention strategies; Norwegian Armed Forces; veterans
Hrčak ID:
202465
URI
Publication date:
22.12.1998.
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