Social support against suicide in burn survivors: A vital but overlooked protective factor
Akbar Zare‐Kaseb, Amir Mohammad Beigee, Amin Doustahadi, Maryam Shahabi, Mohammad Javad Ghazanfari
Abstract
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, with more than 20 suicide attempts for every suicide death, causing significant suffering and a financial burden [1, 2]. Individuals with chronic health conditions, particularly those experiencing chronic pain, are at a higher risk of developing suicidal ideation and behavior, including attempted suicide [2]. Due to the nature of their injuries, the extensive rehabilitation period, and the psychological and physical ramifications, burn victims may be at a disproportionately elevated risk of developing suicidal tendencies and psychiatric comorbidities [3-5]. Sustaining a burn injury is often a distressing and traumatic experience that can result in high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder, which may persist for years after the initial injury. In addition, caring for burn injuries often involves extended hospitalization and painful procedures, including multiple surgeries and wound debridement [6]. The painful procedures used in treating burn wounds, such as numerous surgeries, wound debridement, and mobilization, can prolong hospital stays and cause extra trauma [7-10].