Attempted suicide is a matter of serious public health concern. Culture and Self-Harm considers the factors that may contribute to this increased rate of self-harm and suicide among south Asians in London, which cannot be blamed on migration alone. Cultural pressures that dictate the way stress is dealt with are examined and the effects of cultural conflict and changes in an individual's cultural identity are considered.

Culture and Self-Harm offers a new preventative strategy that will be of theoretical and clinical interest to all mental health professionals, social workers, voluntary and primary care workers. It will help them understand significant factors that play a key role in the lives of south Asians who attempt suicide and what lessons can be learnt for dealing with other ethnic groups with the same problems.

Suicidal Behaviour. South Asia and Concepts of Self. Definitions. Culture and Self-Harm: Contributions of Durkheim. Social and Personal Factors and Suicidal Behaviour in Adolescents. Women and Suicidal Behaviour. Sati and Jauhar. Attempted Suicide in the Indian Subcontinent. Attempted Suicide in Indian Diaspora. Rates of Attempted Suicide and Social Cultural Factors in West London. Cultural Identity and Deliberate Self-Harm. Prevention Strategies and Community Involvement.