Pharmacological Strategies for Suicide Prevention Based on the Social Pain Model: A Scoping Review
Psych August 5, 2022 Ravi Philip Rajkumar 4 citations
Suicidal behavior is a growing public health problem. Existing treatments have limited efficacy for people who have already attempted suicide, so new approaches are needed. Research on the neurobiology of social pain—a risk factor for suicide—has identified promising pharmacological targets. This paper reviews and critically evaluates evidence for these targets, examining how social pain relates to the anti-suicidal properties of recently approved treatments like ketamine and psilocybin. These strategies may reduce suicidal ideation and behavior in the short term, especially when social pain is a contributing factor, and may work regardless of psychiatric diagnosis, though careful evaluation is required.