Suicidology: prevention: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

Psychiatry · Suicidology: prevention

Sample item

Which public health intervention has the strongest evidence for reducing suicide rates in agricultural populations where self-poisoning is common?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Restricting access to highly hazardous pesticides

Limiting access to lethal means, such as bans on highly hazardous pesticides, firearms control and barriers on bridges, is among the most effective population-level strategies. Responsible media reporting and treatment of depression are also helpful.

Option by option

  • A. Closing mental hospitals

    Closing hospitals does not reduce suicide.

  • B. Media glamorisation of suicides

    Sensational reporting increases imitation.

  • C. Restricting access to highly hazardous pesticides (correct)

    Correct. Means restriction lowers suicide rates.

  • D. Mandatory prison terms for attempts

    Punishing attempts is harmful and has been decriminalised in India.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Psychiatry questions

Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is C, Restricting access to highly hazardous pesticides. Limiting access to lethal means, such as bans on highly hazardous pesticides, firearms control and barriers on bridges, is among the most effective population-level strategies.

Why is "Closing mental hospitals" not the answer?

Closing hospitals does not reduce suicide.

Why is "Media glamorisation of suicides" not the answer?

Sensational reporting increases imitation.

Why is "Mandatory prison terms for attempts" not the answer?

Punishing attempts is harmful and has been decriminalised in India.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Suicidology: prevention in Psychiatry. Responsible media reporting and treatment of depression are also helpful.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Suicidology: prevention?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.