Typologies of suicidality and suicide presenting to a prehospital South African Emergency Medical Service: a retrospective cross-sectional analysis

This study estimates the prehospital suicide and suicidality burden for the Western Cape Government Emergency Medical Services, elucidating an under-researched health concern within the South African prehospital space. Further study is required on the risk of emergency care provider stigmatisation towards suicide and suicidality cases, while auditing the need to assess policy, praxis, medical surveillance, EC provider clinical capacity and victim needs and experiences. Suicidality and suicide in Southern Africa could require a 'Syndemic' approach for the emergency service to interrupt suicidality and advance professional relevance.