Objective:

To synthesize available evidence on the prevalence, behavioral patterns, risk factors, and structural determinants of suicidal behavior in GCC countries.

Approach:

• Search Strategy: The review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and searched five databases for primary research published between 2000 and 2025.
• Study Inclusion: Fifty studies (34 GCC-specific and 16 contextual/comparative) met the inclusion criteria.
• Quality Assessment: Methodological quality was appraised using various established checklists.

Key Findings:

• Reported suicide rates in the GCC range from 1.5 to 4.2 per 100,000, likely underestimating true prevalence due to stigma and misclassification.
• Migrant workers are a high-risk subgroup, with suicidal ideation reaching 68% among those facing acute financial distress.
• Islamic religiosity is associated with lower suicide mortality but deters help-seeking due to stigma.

Interpretation:

Suicidal behavior in the GCC is shaped by weakened social integration and normative fragmentation due to rapid modernization.

Limitations:

• Cultural stigma and legal prohibitions hinder accurate reporting of suicidal behavior.
• Existing studies may not fully capture the complexities of suicidal behavior in the region.

Conclusion:

Effective prevention requires culturally adapted interventions that integrate labor welfare reforms with community-based mental health strategies.

Sources:

• Open Science Framework