Work

Lithium levels in drinking water and risk of suicide

Year: 2009

Type: article

Abstract: Although lithium is known to prevent suicide in people with mood disorders, it is uncertain whether lithium in drinking water could also help lower the risk in the general population. To investigate this, we examined lithium levels in tap water in the 18 municipalities of Oita prefecture in Japan in relation to the suicide standardised mortality ratio (SMR) in each municipality. We found that lithium levels were significantly and negatively associated with SMR averages for 2002-2006. These findings suggest that even very low levels of lithium in drinking water may play a role in reducing suicide risk within the general population.

Source: The British Journal of Psychiatry

DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.108.055798

Authors: Hirochika Ohgami, Takeshi Terao, Ippei Shiotsuki, Nobuyoshi Ishii, Noboru Iwata

Institutions: Oita University, Hiroshima International University

Language: English

Topic: Suicide and Self-Harm Studies

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Clean water and sanitation

Open Access status: bronze

OpenAlex ID: W2170096005