General Suicide Rates Research Articles

Railway Suicide in The Netherlands Lower Than Expected.

. Background: Increasing rail transportation requires appropriate railway suicide preventive measures. Aims: The investigation of trends in railway suicide during 2008–2018, a period in which preventive measures were taken by Dutch railway infrastructure manager ProRail. Methods: Generalized linear regression models for railway suicide were developed for the period 1970–2007 with general suicide rate, railway traffic intensity, and a combination of these variables as regressors. Subsequently, the best-fitting model was used to investigate trends in railway suicide after 2007 by comparing in retrospect observed values with the expected outcomes of the regression model. Results: An adequate regression model for railway suicide was obtained using both general suicide rate and railway traffic intensity as regressors. Based on this model, while national suicide mortality and railway traffic increased, a distinct relative decline in railway suicides was found from 2012 onward. Conclusions: This decline of railway suicides in the Netherlands may indicate that preventive measures taken by ProRail were effective and prevented around 85 railway suicides annually, a reduction of 30%.

Psychosocial aspects of suicide in largest industry of farmers in Vidarbha Region of Maharashtra.

India consists of 16% of the world's population, but sustains only 2.4% of land resources. The agriculture sector is the only livelihood to two-third of its population, which gives employment to 57% of the workforce and is a raw material source to a large number of industries. Farmer suicides account for approximately 10% of all suicides in India. The national suicide rate is 10.6/lac, whereas in Maharashtra it is 14.2/lac, in Andhra Pradesh 12.1/lac, in Telangana 27.7/lac, and in Chhattisgarh 27.7/lac. The National Crime Records Bureau data from 1995 to 2006 show that 200,000 farmers had committed suicide, with an average rate of 16,000/year. Every 7th suicide in the country is a farmers' suicide. The first state where suicides were reported was Maharashtra with particularly in the Vidarbha region. In Maharashtra, farmers' suicide rate is 60% higher than the general suicide rate. Every 5th farmers' suicide committed in the country had occurred in Maharashtra, Vidarbha being a particularly sensitive region but also in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Karnataka. In a country of 70 million farmers, 10 in every 100,000 farmers commit suicide. Many inquiry commissions were formed and recommendations were implemented, especially in Punjab. The problem of suicide is not only reported in India but also reported in different parts of the world like England and Wales. We adopted the psychological autopsy approach to offer some insight into the reason why these individuals resorted to such a drastic step.

Acceptance Towards LGB Persons Is an Independent Protective Factor Against Suicide on a Country Level

BackgroundSexual minorities such as lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people have an increased risk for suicide, whose reasons are not sufficiently understood. We aimed to test if differences in LGB acceptance explain variations in general suicide rates on a country level.MethodsWe used linear regression models to explain the variation in age-standardized suicide rates in 34 OECD countries based on LGB acceptance, which was recently assessed in large international surveys polling the general population about their attitude towards homosexuality. We included economic and sociological variables, which have been shown to be related to suicide rates in previous work, as covariates. We then used backward elimination, leave-one-out cross-validation, and the Bayesian information criterion to identify best-fitting models (i.e., to select relevant predictors).ResultsAll employed model selection methods favored a 4-predictor model, where higher LGB acceptance, fertility rate, religiosity, and unemployment rate were significantly related to lower suicide rates. Suicide rates were well explained by this sparse model (R2 adjusted = 0.442). In the full model with all predictors, as well as in the selected four-predictor model, higher LGB acceptance was significantly related to lower suicide rates.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that low LGB acceptance, as measured by international surveys, might be a risk factor for suicide.

Hotel Room Suicide

To compare the suicide rates of local residents registering in local hotels with the general suicide rate in that county and to compare the suicide rates of hotel guests from outside the county with the national suicide rate. The numbers of cases of suicide in hotel rooms and the general community were tabulated for Cuyahoga County, Ohio, for calendar years 2010-2017; in Orange County, California, and Travis County, Texas, for 2010-2012; and in Wayne County, Michigan, for 1997 to March 2005. The percentage of local residents registering in local hotel rooms was estimated from various sources to stratify the suicide risk for travelers and local residents. The suicide rate of local residents registering in local hotels was elevated compared to the general nonhotel population in each county (range of relative risk, 15.1-37.8; P < .0001, Poisson distribution). Hotel guests from outside each county had a reduced rate of suicide compared to the national rate (range of relative risk, 0.124-0.524; P < .05, Poisson distribution). With regard to suicide method, drug overdoses accounted for a significantly greater percentage in hotel rooms than in the nonhotel population in 3 of 4 counties (range of risk ratios, 2.03-4.51, P < .01; test of proportions), with the opposite pattern for gunshot wounds (range of risk ratios, 0.27-0.50; P < .01, test of proportions). Although local residents register in hotels for various reasons, there appears to be a subpopulation with a purpose of avoiding rescue. Consistent with the risk-rescue rating, means of suicide with lower lethality, eg, drug overdoses, account for a greater percentage of cases in a setting with less chance of rescue. In contrast to the local use population, the sense of purpose or meaning inherent in travel could explain the decreased risk of suicide in guests from outside the county.

How Distress Tolerance Mediates the Relationship Between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide Constructs in a U.S. Military Sample.

Despite the general suicide rate within the military being comparable to the general population when comparing peers, there are certain branches of the military that have elevated risk. Specifically, the U.S. National Guard has suicide rates that are constantly higher than other military branches and civilian peers. The National Guard are a unique military population in which they frequently transition between military and civilian life. With these unique experiences and heightened risk, military suicide prevention efforts may benefit from further research within this population. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is another concern amongst military personnel and has been linked to suicidal behavior. The current study examined the indirect effects that distress tolerance, a protective factor against suicide, has on the relationship between PTSD and constructs within a well-validated theory for suicide (the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory for suicidal behaviors) in a sample of U.S. Army National Guard personnel. Results indicated that distress tolerance had a significant indirect effect on the relationship between PTSD and thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and capability for suicide. These findings are consistent with previous literature examining the relationship between distress tolerance and our outcome variables. These results could have important clinical implications, mainly that intervention strategies targeting distress tolerance could have significant impacts on suicide-relate thoughts.

Impact of some types of mass gatherings on current suicide risk in an urban population: statistical and negative binominal regression analysis of time series.

BackgroundMany studies have investigated the impact of a wide range of social events on suicide-related behaviour. However, these studies have predominantly examined national events. The aim of this study is to provide a statistical evaluation of the relationship between mass gatherings in some relatively small urban sub-populations and the general suicide rates of a major city.MethodsThe data were gathered in the Ukrainian city of Dnipropetrovsk, with a population of 1 million people, in 2005–2010. Suicide attempts, suicides, and the total amount of suicide-related behaviours were registered daily for each sex. Bivariate and multivariate statistical analysis, including negative binomial regression, were applied to assess the risk of suicide-related behaviour in the city’s general population for 7 days before and after 427 mass gatherings, such as concerts, football games, and non-regular mass events organized by the Orthodox Church and new religious movements.ResultsThe bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses found significant changes in some suicide-related behaviour rates in the city’s population after certain kinds of mass gatherings. In particular, we observed an increased relative risk (RR) of male suicide-related behaviour after a home defeat of the local football team (RR = 1.32, p = 0.047; regression coefficient beta = 0.371, p = 0.002), and an increased risk of male suicides (RR = 1.29, p = 0.006; beta =0.255, p = 0.002), male suicide-related behaviour (RR = 1.25, p = 0.019; beta =0.251, p < 0.001), and total suicide-related behaviour (RR = 1.23 p < 0.001; beta =0.187, p < 0.001) after events organized by the new religious movements.ConclusionsAlthough football games and mass events organized by new religious movements involved a relatively small part of an urban population (1.6 and 0.3%, respectively), we observed a significant increase of the some suicide-related behaviour rates in the whole population. It is likely that the observed effect on suicide-related behaviour is related to one’s personal presence at the event rather than to its broadcast. Our findings can be explained largely in terms of Gabennesch’s theory of the ‘broken-promises effect’ with regard to intra- and interpersonal conflict and, in terms of crowd behaviour effects.

Change in Suicide Rates in Switzerland Before and After Firearm Restriction Resulting From the 2003 “Army XXI” Reform

Firearms are the most common method of suicide among young men in Switzerland. From March 2003 through February 2004, the number of Swiss soldiers was halved as a result of an army reform (Army XXI), leading to a decrease in the availability of guns nationwide. The authors investigated the patterns of the overall suicide rate and the firearm suicide rate before and after the reform. Using a naturalistic study design, the authors compared suicide rates before (1995–2003) and after the intervention (2004–2008) in the affected population (men ages 18–43) and in two comparison groups (women ages 18–44 and men ages 44–53). Data were received from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office. Interrupted time series analysis was used to control for preexisting temporal trends. Alternative methods (Poisson regression, autocorrelation analysis, and surrogate data tests) were used to check validity. The authors found a reduction in both the overall suicide rate and the firearm suicide rate after the Army XXI reform. No significant increases were found for other suicide methods overall. An increase in railway suicides was observed. It was estimated that 22% of the reduction in firearm suicides was substituted by other suicide methods. The attenuation of the suicide rate was not compensated for during the follow-up years. Neither of the comparison groups showed statistically significant changes in firearm suicide rate and overall suicide rate. The restriction of firearm availability in Switzerland resulting from the Army XXI reform was followed by an enduring decrease in the general suicide rate.

Train suicide mortality and availability of trains: A tale of two countries

When compared to German rates, train suicides in the Netherlands have made up a larger proportion of the total number of suicides. This study examines whether this difference is attributable to railway parameters, familiarity with rail transport, or population density.Dutch and German train suicide rates from 2000 to 2007 were compared by means of Poisson regression analyses. Train suicide rate ratios were calculated and related to the railway parameters or population density in a Poisson regression model. The Dutch–German general suicide rate ratio was 0.72. In contrast, the train suicide rate in the Netherlands exceeded the German rate by 1.23. In the Poisson regression analyses, where suicide rate was related to railway density or passenger traffic intensity, the Dutch–German train suicide rate ratios became 1.49 and 1.20 respectively. When related to train traffic intensity or population density, however, rate ratios turned into 0.74 and 0.59 respectively. Train traffic intensity contributes to train suicide frequency. Population density also contributes, whereas railway density and familiarity with rail transport do not. In a cross-national comparison the availability hypothesis regarding the number of trains passing was confirmed, which leads to the recommendation of limiting access to the railway tracks.

Suicide in Austrian children and young adolescents aged 14 and younger

Research on suicide in childhood and early adolescence is sparse. We investigated suicide cases of children and young adolescents in terms of prevalence, gender differences, suicide methods and monthly distribution during a period of 32 years. Registered suicides aged 14 or younger occurring between 1970 and 2001 (n = 275) in Austria were studied. The mean suicide rate for 10 to 14-year-olds was 1.4 per 100,000 with a male-female ratio of 3.1:1. The total child and young adolescent suicide rate and boys' suicide rates decreased over the study period. However, there was no significant fluctuation in girls' suicide rates. Hanging was the predominant suicide method in both genders. Use of this method decreased steadily over the study period, whereas the percentage of suicides by other methods, i.e., jumping and firearms suicides increased. Greater number of suicides in children and young adolescents was observed during the months of April/May and October/November. Suicide rates of children and young adolescents in Austria are on the decrease, in accordance with a reported decrease in the general suicide rate in Austria.

Suicide among Viennese minors, 1946–2002

The first documented conference on suicide among school pupils was held by the Viennese Psychoanalytical Society in 1910, yet since then research on youth suicide in Vienna and Austria has been sparse. We investigated cases of suicide among Viennese minors over a period of 57 years in terms of prevalence, gender differences, suicide methods and monthly distribution. We studied registered suicides among Viennese youths aged 19 or younger occurring between 1946 and 2002 (n = 683). The total suicide rate and the rates for male and female suicides among Viennese minors decreased over the period studied. The mean suicide rate was 6.2 per 100,000 (statistics on suicides per 100,000 were available only for the period 1953-2002), with a male-female ratio of 2.1:1. The predominant suicide method was domestic gas until its detoxification in Vienna. From 1976 jumping from a height became the most common suicide method of Viennese minors; it was also the predominant method among females, whereas hanging was the predominant method among males. Since 1996 the percentage of firearm suicides among males has doubled, and jumping suicides among females have tripled. A greater number of suicides among minors took place during the months of January, June, October and December. Suicide rates of Viennese minors are on the decline, corresponding to a reported decrease in the general suicide rate in Austria. In view of an observed recent increase in firearm suicides among males and jumping suicides among females aged 19 and younger, further monitoring as well as legal and environmental prevention measures are needed.

Gun Control and Suicide: Possible Impact of Canadian Legislation to Ensure Safe Storage of Firearms

In 1992, the Canadian Firearms Act aimed at ensuring safe storage of firearms was promulgated. This study compares suicide methods 6 years prior to the enactment of the law and 5 years after its enactment. The study encompassed 426 suicide cases from Abitibi-Témiscamingue (Northern Quebec), the region with the highest suicide rate and the highest firearm suicide rate in Quebec. Suicide by firearms decreased in the male and female population. Suicide by hanging increased among youths of both sexes, and suicide by poisoning doubled in the female population. A decrease in firearm suicides was most noticeable in the under-25 age group, although it was in this same age group that the general suicide rate increased the most. The reduction of firearm suicides was not accompanied by a decrease in overall suicide rates.

Suicide Amongst the Elderly in 'Catholic and Orthodox' and 'Non-Catholic-Orthodox' Countries: An Unexpected Finding

It was expected that elderly suicide compared to general suicide rates would be lower in Catholic and Orthodox countries than Non-Catholic/Orthodox states because of religious and extended family traditions. The reverse was the case. The reasons for this are unknown but there are important policy implications for the more traditional countries.

Factores de riesgo de la conducta suicida en niños y adolescentes

The objective of this article was to review the scientific literature about the risk factors associated with attempted suicide in children and adolescents, in order to delimit with accuracy the risk groups and to be helpful for the prevention and treatment of young people. Suicide is the second or third leading cause of death in people aged 15-19 years. Secular tendency analysis supports the hypothesis of a real increase of this phenomenon since 1950 in teenagers and young adults both in Europe and North America. In Chile, data provided by the Information Department of the Health Ministry showed a gradual increase in the general suicide rate between 1986 and 1996 (except 1992-93). In adolescents suicide rates had shown a tendency toward stabilization. Determining suicide prevalence is difficult and there is a consensus that attempted suicides are 10-50 times more common than suicide. Follow up studies in teenagers that attempted suicide demonstrated that 10% of these commit suicide in the next ten years. Age and gender are the most important risk factors, males commit suicide more frequently and women are more prone to present other suicidal behaviours. The incidence of suicide increases with age, before the age of 15 it is a rare event. Psychopathology is present in most children and adolescents with suicidal behaviour. Psychiatric disorders such as mood disorders, especially major depressive illness, substance abuse and antisocial behaviour are common. Anxiety in a persistent suicidal ideation context rather than a causal agent or risk factor per se may exert an amplifying or maintaining role. There is clear evidence that familiar adversity contributes to an increased suicide risk, lack of warmth in family relationships, lack of communication with parents and general family dysfunction are frequently associated with suicidal behaviour. Accurate referral of these patients to the Mental Health Services, assessment familar and development of effective treatment strategies have shown to be useful in reducing suicidal behaviour in teenagers.

High suicide mortality soon after diagnosis among cancer patients in central Italy.

A high suicide mortality risk has been documented among a population-based cohort of 27 123 cancer patients resident in central Italy where the general suicide rate is low. Forty-one suicides were observed (SMR = 2.36) which were only 0.2% of all deaths. However, the highest risk (SMR = 27.7) during the first 6 months after diagnosis, represents a greater contrast with the general population than has been observed in other studies.

MURDER FOLLOWED BY SUICIDE IN THOSE WHO MURDER POLICE OFFICERS

According to the annual FBI summary (FBI, undated), from 1974 to 1978, 558 law enforcement offirers were murdered in the USA. and 729 offenders were identified. Of these offenders, 3 496 ( 2 8 ) committed suicide afterwards, a figure comparable to the percent of murderers ~n general in the USA who commit suicide after murdering (Wolfgang, 1958). The suicide rate of murderers of policemen is roughly 3430 per 100.000 per year as compared to a general suicide rate in the USA of 12.5 per 100,000 per year. The 28 murderers who committed suicide after murdering policemen were compared with the total sample of murderers of policemen. Of the murder-suicides, 65% were white (vs 56% of the total sample of murderers). All the murder-suicides were male ( v s 96% of the total sample of murderers), and 66% were 1 8 to 30 yr. of age (vs 60% of the total sample of murderers). All of the murder-suicides used firearms for the murder, and 26 of the men killed themselves using a gun. (At least 4 used the policeman's gun.) One shot into dynamite, and one hung himself in his jail cell after arrest. The majority of the murdersuicide situations were not related to serious crimes. Seven involved traffic stops, accidents, or disabled vehicles. Five were family disturbances. In only six cases was the offender actually involved in an armed robbery or burglary. In addition, one was hijacking an airplane and one was a sniper. Interestingly, six of the offenders killed, wounded, or threatened a close relative as well as killed a policeman. In these cases, the policeman seemed to have been killed because he was there while the violence was being discharged. A few of the murderers appeared to have grievances against particular policemen or the police in general, since they sought out the home of a police officer or the police station in order to kill the policeman. Those involved in crimes may be defending themselves and trying to escape capture. Several appeared to kill themselves while being hunted or when cornered. As arrest was imminent, they commitred suicide. Some of these murder-suicides may be victim-precipitated homicides (i.e., provoking the police into killing them) and commit suicide when the police do not kill them. Most, however, appear on superficial examination to be quite similar to the total sample of police murderers and not unlike murderers in general in the USA.