O fenômeno do suicídio na população indígena do Brasil a partir de indicadores epidemiológicos

Abstract

Background: Suicide, understood as an intentional act of self-destruction, represents a serious public health problem and a growing challenge among Indigenous peoples in Brazil. Despite its epidemiological and social relevance, records on this phenomenon remain underreported, compromising the understanding of its magnitude and the development of effective prevention policies tailored to this population Objective: To analyze the epidemiological profile of suicide among the Brazilian Indigenous population, by Federative Unit, from 2014 to 2023, considering sociodemographic characteristics, methods used, and spatial distribution. Methods: This was an observational, ecological, and descriptive study with a quantitative approach. Mortality data on suicide (ICD-10 codes X60–X84) were obtained from the Mortality Information System (SIM/DATASUS), and Indigenous population denominators were retrieved from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). Crude suicide mortality rates per 100,000 inhabitants were calculated and stratified by sex, age, education, marital status, method used, and Federative Unit. Results: The highest suicide mortality rates among Indigenous peoples were observed in the states of Mato Grosso do Sul and Amazonas, followed by Roraima. Most victims were male (74.84%), aged 19 years or younger (39.92%), and had 4–7 years of schooling (28.13%). Hanging, strangulation, or suffocation (ICD-10: X70) was the predominant method, accounting for more than two-thirds of deaths, followed by poisoning and firearm use. A national upward trend was observed, with a 58% increase in the number of deaths between 2014 and 2023. Conclusion: Suicide among Brazil’s Indigenous population remained high throughout the study period, with concentration in specific states, revealing a vulnerability pattern distinct from that of the general population. These findings underscore the need for targeted public policies that are sensitive to the historical, cultural, and territorial contexts of Indigenous peoples.