Mortality and Suicide Among Persons Experiencing Homelessness: A Seven-Year Follow-up Study /Mortalidad y Suicidio Entre Personas en Situation de Sinhogarismo: un Estudio de Seguimiento de Siete Anos

Background: There is a significant gap in scientific understanding about suicide among people experiencing homelessness (PEHs). Method: This seven-year longitudinal study examined a cohort of 154 PEHs. In 2015, clinical assessments were conducted, including an evaluation of suicide risk, with data on causes of death collected from public health service records in 2022. Results: Over the course of seven years, 14.3% of the sample passed away at an average age of 52.6 years. The leading causes of death were cancer, suicide, and accidental overdose. Participants who experienced violence had a higher number of suicide attempts and scored higher on the suicidal ideation scale. The most significant factors associated with mortality were prior suicide attempts and suicidal ideation. Conclusions: This study underscores the importance of suicide risk scale scores as the primary predictor of mortality. It emphasizes the need for further longitudinal research on suicide among PEHs and the development of specific programs to prevent suicide within this population. An approach combining structural and individual perspectives is suggested, considering appropriate housing policies and mental health care. Keywords: Homelessness Suicide Violence Overdose Mortality Suicidal behavior Antecedentes: Existe un vacio en el conocimiento cientifico sobre el suicidio entre las personas en situation de sinhogarismo (PSH). Metodo: Este estudio longitudinal de siete anos, examino una cohorte de 154 PSH. En 2015 se evaluaron el riesgo de suicidio y las causas de muerte recopiladas en los registros del servicio de salud en 2022. Resultados: En estos siete anos, el 14.3% de la muestra fallecio a una edad promedio de 52.6 anos. Las principales causas de muerte fueron cancer, suicidio y sobredosis accidental. Se encontro que aquellos participantes que experimentaron violencia presentaron un mayor numero de intentos de suicidio, asi como una puntuacion mas elevada en la escala de ideacion suicida. Los factores mas significativos relacionados con la mortalidad fueron los intentos de suicidio previos y la ideacion suicida. Conclusiones: Este estudio resalta la importancia de la puntuacion en la escala de riesgo de suicidio como el predictor principal de mortalidad. Asi mismo, destaca la necesidad de realizar investigaciones longitudinales sobre suicidio entre PSH y de desarrollar programas especificos para prevenir el suicidio en esta poblacion. Se sugiere un enfoque que combine perspectivas