A novel integrated knowledge explanation of factors leading to suicide

Psycho-social and biological theories of suicide are sometimes presented in a dichotomous manner. It is hypothesised that there is a base rate of suicide in all communities which is influenced not only by biological factors, but also by psycho-social factors. However, various countries or specific groups or regions within a country whose suicide rate diverges significantly from this base rate do so predominantly because of psycho-social factors. This theory has practical implications in terms of where certain countries or regions should focus their suicide prevention programmes.