Suicídio, um problema social: análise interdisciplinar da caracterização sociocultural e socioeconômica no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil desde os anos 2000

Abstract

Suicide is an act that accompanies the history of humanity. In this trajectory, it received different connotations, from heroic to criminal. Currently understood as a social issue, suicide has been presented as a problem to be debated considering the different aspects of human complexity. However, their discussion is still very veiled. In the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, which has the highest rates in the country, suicide rates vary according to the spatial scenario, equaling the highest rates worldwide in some regions. With the aim of analyzing and interpreting suicide scenarios in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, from an interdisciplinary perspective, since the 2000s, qualitative research was carried out with an interdisciplinary approach, using bibliographic and documentary research as the procedure. According to the results found, the sociocultural and socioeconomic dimensions that are related to suicide cases in Rio Grande do Sul in the analyzed period are demographic density, with higher rates in small municipalities; work in agriculture, especially family work, with higher rates among the population with this occupation, as well as in municipalities where this practice is strongly present; ethnic origin, especially German, where culture is related to the suicidal act; the difference in suicidal behavior between genders, with cases being significantly higher among males; and the elderly age group, which is more susceptible to seeking suicide. These dimensions were qualitatively analyzed and described.