Gender is considered a major predictor for suicidal behaviour. In the Western world men are 2-4 times more likely to die from suicide compared to women, with a narrower gap in Asian countries with the exception of China well female suicide rate exceeds that of men. However focusing only on mortality excluding other aspects of suicide-related morbidity ignores the magnitude of the problem, including the impact of female suicide on society and its burden on healthcare. Suicide accounts for 71% of intentional violent deaths in women compared to 50% in men, and women are also highly overrepresented if all forms of suicidal behaviour, including also ideation and attempts, are taken into account. Considering on the one hand that all manifestations of suicidal behaviour are associated with distress and suffering, and on the other hand that women are 2-3 times more likely to attend hospital following a suicidal act providing an opportunity for intervention and treatment, it is especially important that suicide in women gets more attention.
The presentation will focus on the gender gap and gender paradox in suicidal behaviour; overviewing neurobiological differences and contributors in female suicidal behaviour, discussing specific and differential aspects of suicide in women, as well as female-specific risk and protective factors. Theories and explanations for the gender gap in suicidal behaviours will be reviewed and finally recommendations for recognising and screening of suicide risk and women, as well as treatment and prevention will be summarised.