Suicidal behavior is defined as any behavior of self-harm with intent and knowledge of what is done. Suicide ranks among the 10 leading causes of death in the statistics of the world health organization.

The main objective of the study is to determine the sociodemographic characteristics of patients who have attempted suicide and the characteristics of this behavior.

It is a descriptive cross-sectional study.

The sample consisted of 70 patients, with a mean age of 41.17 years, most of them were women (58.5%). In relation to employment status, 31.4% were working, 21.4% unemployed, 14.3% were retired and 32.9% had other employment status. Among the characteristics of suicidal behavior characteristics, mode, forecasting rescue, previous suicidal behavior, previous outpatient follow-up and consumption of toxic evaluated. The most frequent method chosen was the voluntary intake of drugs (77.1%). The 67.1% were diagnosed with depressive disorder followed by personality disorders (20%).

In total there is a predominance of women in achieving some suicidal behavior, as well as a higher percentage among single, divorced or widowed (60%) versus married (40%). Also a higher percentage of patients unemployed, pensioners and others who do not receive income (68.5%) versus the occupationally active (22%). Another condition that must be evaluated in the suicide risk is having previously made a suicide attempt, in our study 54.3%. Since subjects with previous suicide attempt are four times more likely to try again. The results are also consistent with other studies that the most common disorder associated with suicide attempt is depressive disorder (67.1%).

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.