A Contextual System Thinking (CTST) Investigation Of Recent Rates Of Suicides And Governmental Intervention In Spain.

LEVEL 1 OF THE INVESTIGATION

This case study demonstrates the use of the Contextual-Systems-Thinking methodology, which offer 3 different investigative levels. The investigation is about concerning numbers of suicides in Spain and the government’s policy-reaction as reported in a leading national newspaper.

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LEVEL 1 OF THE INVESTIGATION:

Gathers information about the situation being investigated. This involves assembling a list of aspects described in short sentences.

Distils the practical meaning from these sentences to further understanding.

Relates the aspects to each other to gain a wider understanding of the situation.

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The aspects in this study were taken from a leader article published in the national newspaper ‘El País’ on the 14th of September 2024 on the subject of unacceptable, high rates of suicides in Spain.

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LIST OF ASPECTS:

1) For every consumed suicide there are 20 attempted suicides

MEANING IN THE CONTEXT OF THE UNACCEPTABLE RATE? OF SUICIDES IN SPAIN:

Preventive measures are called for.?

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2) Those that are left behind often do not find adequate support

MEANING IN THE CONTEXT OF THE UNACCEPTABLE RATE? OF SUICIDES IN SPAIN:?

Psychological support for those affected must be established and made easily accessible to all who require it.

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3) Usually 6 people are directly affected by the suicide of one person

MEANING IN THE CONTEXT OF THE UNACCEPTABLE RATE? OF SUICIDES IN SPAIN:?

This shows the need for suicide prevention measures.

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4) Suicide is still largely a taboo subject and hardly discussed in public.

MEANING IN THE CONTEXT OF THE UNACCEPTABLE RATE? OF SUICIDES IN SPAIN:?

There is a lack of government-sponsored discussion and explanation made available on public radio and TV.

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5) In Spain in 2023, there were 3 952 suicides registered.

MEANING IN THE CONTEXT OF THE UNACCEPTABLE RATE? OF SUICIDES IN SPAIN:

This shows the extend of the problem and implies that a serious attempt must be made to lower this unacceptably rate.

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6) There was an increase in the number of suicides during the Covid pandemia and 8.5 suicides were registered per 100 000 inhabitants

?MEANING IN THE CONTEXT OF THE UNACCEPTABLE RATE? OF SUICIDES IN SPAIN:

This shows that lockdowns and social isolation must be fully justified before implementation and that a social support system such as helplines must be made available to deal with their effects.

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7) A National plan for the prevention of suicide is now being discussed in Spain

MEANING IN THE CONTEXT OF THE UNACCEPTABLE RATE? OF SUICIDES IN SPAIN:

This plan? is? welcome and long overdue and will draw awareness to the problem.

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8) Mental health services do not have the size and capacity for an adequate and efficacious response

MEANING IN THE CONTEXT OF THE UNACCEPTABLE RATE? OF SUICIDES IN SPAIN:

This means that more resources must be found to improve mental health care.

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9) Suicides are a public health issue

MEANING IN THE CONTEXT OF THE UNACCEPTABLE RATE? OF SUICIDES IN SPAIN:

This emphasizes that it is primarily a responsibility the government to act.

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10) 50 percent of those who committed suicide were taking anxiolytics

MEANING IN THE CONTEXT OF THE UNACCEPTABLE RATE? OF SUICIDES IN SPAIN:

This indicates the need for the investigation of possible links between suicide attempts? and the use or anxiolytics, the need to inform heath workers about the situation and to advise health professional to reduce their? prescription.

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11) The Institute of National Toxicology has warned that it is far too easy to obtain these psychotropics

MEANING IN THE CONTEXT OF THE UNACCEPTABLE RATE? OF SUICIDES IN SPAIN:

This emphasized the need to disseminate information on the possible link between suicide and anxiolytics and the need for a mechanism that helps control the availability of these drugs.

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12) Many studies have shown that in the last few years, there was an increase in anxiety, depression especially in young people, affecting suicide rates

MEANING IN THE CONTEXT OF THE UNACCEPTABLE RATE? OF SUICIDES IN SPAIN:

This emphasizes the need for social policies that help young people, particularly to find jobs and housing

13) In Spain, there is a tendency for excessive medicalization of social ills and a tendency to compensate with medicines for the lack of available psychological assistance by psychologist and psychiatrists.

MEANING IN THE CONTEXT OF THE UNACCEPTABLE RATE? OF SUICIDES IN SPAIN:

This calls on governments to promote the study of psychology at universities, actively counter possible misinformation emanating from vested interests, and invest in mental health.

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THE? IDENTIFICATION OF THE PRACTICAL CONSEQUENCE OF THE ASPECTS

In cases where the consequences related to the aspects are not obvious a second method can be used to identify them. That method looks at each aspect in the ‘context’ of the problem situation. In the list above the practical meaning of the aspects appears in cursive and highlighted in black below the contextual question shown in capital letters. Both methods will provide the same practical meaning. In this study the ‘contextual’ approach has been preferred.?

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IDENTIFYING INTERCONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE ASPECTS:

Aspect 2: Those who are left behind often do not find adequate support

This links with Aspect 4 (suicide being taboo), as the lack of social discussion might prevent the development of support networks.

Aspect 3: Usually, 6 people are directly affected by the suicide of one person

This relates closely with Aspect 2 (lack of support for survivors) and Aspect 9 (suicide as a public health issue), indicating a ripple effect that creates broader societal impacts.

Aspect 4: Suicide is still largely a taboo subject and hardly discussed in public

This connects to multiple aspects, including Aspect 2 (lack of support for survivors), Aspect 7 (the need for a national plan), and Aspect 9 (public health issue). The taboo hinders public awareness, support mechanisms, and prevention.

Aspect 5: In 2023, 3,952 suicides were registered in Spain

This statistical aspect ties into the broader trends and issues highlighted in Aspect 6 (increase during the pandemic), Aspect 9 (public health issue), and Aspect 12 (increased mental health challenges).

Aspect 6: Increase in suicides during the pandemic

Clearly linked with Aspect 12 (rise in anxiety and depression among young people), but also with Aspect 9 (public health issue) and Aspect 8 (inadequate mental health services).

Aspect 7: A National plan for suicide prevention is now being discussed

This ties into Aspect 9 (public health issue) and Aspect 4 (suicide as taboo), indicating a systemic need to address both prevention and awareness. It also relates to Aspect 8 (capacity of mental health services), as implementation will require resources and expansion.

Aspect 8: Mental health services lack capacity

This is one of the central systemic bottlenecks, influencing Aspect 1 (high rate of attempted suicides), Aspect 2 (lack of support), Aspect 12 (increasing anxiety and depression), and Aspect 13 (overmedicalization).

Aspect 9: Suicide is a public health issue

This creates a broader systemic link to most other aspects, particularly Aspect 7 (national prevention plan), Aspect 8 (inadequate mental health services), and Aspect 12 (mental health trends).

Aspect 10: 50 percent of those who committed suicide were taking anxiolytics

This links closely with Aspect 11 (easy access to psychotropics) and Aspect 13 (excessive medicalization), indicating that pharmaceuticals may be over-relied upon as a solution for mental health problems, without addressing root causes.

Aspect 11: National Institute of Toxicology warns about easy access to psychotropics

Tied directly to Aspect 10 (high percentage of suicides involving those on medication) and Aspect 13 (overmedicalization), showing a systemic flaw in how mental health is treated.

Aspect 12: Increase in anxiety and depression, especially in young people

This directly relates to Aspect 1 (high attempted suicide rates), Aspect 6 (pandemic effects), Aspect 8 (inadequate services), and Aspect 13 (overmedicalization).

Aspect 13: Excessive medicalization of social ills

This connects to Aspect 10 (high use of anxiolytics), Aspect 11 (easy access to psychotropics), Aspect 8 (insufficient psychological care), and Aspect 12 (mental health trends). The system is compensating for the lack of psychological care with medication, which can exacerbate issues.

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INSIGHTS FROM LEVEL 1 STUDY:

The connections between the aspects show how various systemic issues, such as mental health service inadequacy, overmedicalization, social stigma, and the public health framework, interact and contribute to suicide rates. Systemic changes will require addressing these interconnected factors together.

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THIS CONCLUDES THE CONTEXTUAL SYSTEMIC INVESTIGATION AT LEVEL 1

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NOTE: Those who wish to learn more about the Contextual Systems Thinking methodology can listen to THIS podcast generated by NotebookLM or access the methodology directly by clicking on this LINK.