CHAIR:
Suicidal behaviour is a major health problem causing more than 1 million deaths worldwide each year. The risk of suicide-related behaviour is supposed to be determined by a complex interplay of sociocultural factors, psychiatric history, personality traits, and genetic as well as neurobiological vulnerability.
This view is supported by adoption and family studies indicating that suicidal acts have a genetic contribution that is independent of the heritability of Axis I and II psychopathology. The heritability for serious suicide attempts was estimated to be 55%. Further understanding of the genetics and pathophysiology of suicidal behaviour is therefore very important.
This SIG has major goals to promote studies of genetic aspects of suicide ideation and behaviour among suicidologists on one side, and to promote genetic studies of suicide ideation and behaviour among behavioural geneticists on the other; thus forming an independent discipline of genetic suicidology.
This SIG will provide a place where scientists interested in genetics of suicidal behaviour can easily get in contact with each other, can cooperate and stimulate the whole field with new studies and results.
If you would like to join this SIG, please contact us.
