"Understanding Suicidal Ideation Among Jail Inmates: A Genetic and Environmental Framework"

Abstract

Suicidal ideation, thoughts about suicide, is a significant public health challenge leading to suicidal deaths in Jail inmates. Different contributors including genes, life adversities and psychopathologies and the easy access of the methods of suicide are the causes of suicide ideation during incarceration. Conditions like depression, anxiety, and personality disorders consistently elevate the risk of suicide ideation and antisocial delinquencies in jail inmates. Key neurotransmitters involved in mood, such as serotonin, noradrenaline, and dopamine, play a significant role in the contemplation of suicide. The paper explores the genetic factors like polymorphisms in serotonin related genes (SLC6A4), Dopamine related genes (SLC6A3), brain-derived neurotrophic factors(BDNF) interaction with environmental stressors in jail environments (substance abuse, trauma, social isolation, exposure to violence) that cause impulsive behavior, emotional dysregulation in jail inmates, which induce the development of suicidal behavior. A structured approach has been explained in this paper to understand the gene-environment interaction contributing to suicidal ideation, with the aim of development of specialized screening tools and intervention strategies for jail populations. This is a multifactorial issue which requires extensive research and mental health initiatives to reduce suicide rates among jail inmates so they can improve their quality of life afterwards and progress in society.