Abstract

The present article at hand presents the results of the community assessment that was carried out as part of the project “Capacity building in the community of Santa Maria de Dota for suicide prevention” from the University of Costa Rica. The former aimed to better understand suicide in this community by identifying those factors that influence suicidal behavior. A qualitative and participatory approach, with techniques such as interviews, focus groups, and workshops, was used. The results expose the main problems of the community considered as risk factors for suicide, the positive qualities that are considered as protective factors, and the perception people have of suicide as well as the strategies the community has to face this problem.

Keywords: Suicide; psychosocial focus; community health; risk factors; protective factors