Abstract

KOVACS, Maria Julia. Critical review about ethical conflicts related to suicide. Psicol. teor. prat. [online]. 2013, vol.15, n.3, pp. 69-82. ISSN 1516-3687.

The article proposes a critical review about suicide and ethical conflicts concerning the subject. Epidemiological data, definitions and expressions of suicide among adolescents and elderly people are presented and prevention interventions are discussed. The amplitude and complexity of the subject are discussed and how simplistic and conclusive answers can lead to error. Suicide can be considered as an existential option to deal with pain and suffering, as considered by writer Andrew Solomon and Ramón Sampedro, who wrote the book Letters from hell. Health professionals may have the therapeutic action: to prevent at all costs the suicidal act or to understand the human suffering, which can lead to the suicidal act as a form of ending pain. This is the main conflict surrounding the issue of suicide and health professionals.

Keywords : suicide; prevention; ethics; health professionals; death.

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