Suicide Rates For Women Research Articles

Suicide, gender and socio-economic factors: a panel study of 79 counties in the Slovak Republic

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between suicide rates broken down by gender and socio-economic factors in the Slovak Republic.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses panel data of 79 counties of the Slovak Republic for the period 1997–2019. Methodology used includes fixed effects regression and sensitivity analysis. Also, regressions with lagged variables are used.FindingsThe results show that per capita income and unemployment rate are associated with increased risk of suicide rates for both genders. Economic growth is negatively correlated and significant only for women. Women’s participation in the labor market does not have a significant impact. Social factors, such as divorce and fertility rate, have a significant effect on men but insignificant on women. Strong faith is associated with increasing men’s suicide rates. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the results. This paper also examined the possibility of cumulation of the effects by using lagged variables. Unemployment rate has a significant effect only in the simultaneous year and for men only. Per capita income and economic growth have insignificant impact for both the genders. Divorce rate has a significant positive relationship for men, if measured in the previous year. The fertility rate is negatively correlated with the suicide rate of women up to two years after the birth. Higher participation of women in the labor market has a positive relationship with men’s suicides in the simultaneous year.Research limitations/implicationsFew limitations of this paper need to be stated. First, the data are not balanced, as data for some districts and years are missing. Also, it is possible to collect data only for a maximum period of 29 years (as the Slovak Republic exists only from year 1993). Moreover, important variables in suicide research, like alcohol consumption or drug use, are not collected on the district level. Therefore, poor data availability is putting barriers to research of this area in the Slovak Republic. Second, there is a lack of previous studies in the Slovak Republic. According to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper to deal with issue of suicides and socio-economic factors in the Slovak Republic; therefore, some important factors of the Slovak Republic influencing the results of this paper may be missed. Third, limitations in the methodological approach might influence the paper. The lagged-variables approach might require further methodological improvements and research like implementing a structural regression model.Originality/valueAccording to knowledge of the authors, this relationship has not yet been examined in Slovakia. This provided space for this paper. According to the information presented in this paper, it is important to take individual economic and social circumstances into account when developing suicide prevention programs. The results of this paper may lead to useful guidelines for health policymakers, but addressing this issue certainly requires further research.

Suicide and Suicide Prevention Activities Following the Great East Japan Earthquake 2011: A Literature Review.

Background: Since the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE), numerous studies have been conducted, but no comprehensive review study has been carried out. Thus, this literature review aimed to examine how the GEJE might affect suicide and suicidal behaviors from a long-term perspective. Methods: For the literature review, a search of electronic databases was carried out to find articles written in English and in Japanese that were related to suicide and its risk factors, as well as suicide prevention activities following the GEJE. Thirty-two articles were then selected for the review. Results: There were several findings, as follows: (1) gender differences in suicide rates in the affected area: nationwide, the suicide rates in men showed a delayed increase, whereas suicide rates in women increased temporarily immediately after the GEJE; (2) the suicide rates increased again in the recovery phase; (3) the background of the suicides was linked to both disaster-related experiences, and indirect reasons pertaining to the GEJE; and (4) intensive intervention combined with a high-risk and community-focused approach could prevent suicides following the disaster. Conclusions: Although further accumulation of knowledge about suicide and suicide prevention is essential, these findings can contribute to response, recovery, and preparedness in relation to future disasters.

Suicide Prevention Strategies: An Overview

Suicide is the intentional self-infliction of death. It is a leading cause of death all over the world. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among teenagers aged 15 to 19. Low- and middle-income countries account for 79 % of global suicides. Pesticide ingestion, hanging, and weapons are among the most popular ways to commit suicide around the world. Suicides had increased to 230,314 in India in 2016. Suicide was the leading cause of death in both the 15–29 and 15–39 age groups. About 800,000 people die by suicide worldwide every year, of these 135,000 (17%) are residents of India, a nation with 17.5% of world population. A prior suicide attempt is the single most important risk factor for suicide in the general population. Every year, approximately 800,000 people die by suicide around the world, with 135,000 (17%) of them living in India, which accounts for 17.5% of the global population. For every suicide there are many more people who attempt suicide every year. In the general population, having attempted suicide previously is the single most significant risk factor for suicide. Tamil Nadu had the highest suicide rate of 12.5 percent in 2012, followed by Maharashtra (11.9 percent) and West Bengal (11.0 percent). Tamil Nadu and Kerala had the highest suicide rates per 100,000 people among large population states in 2012. In India, the ratio of male to female suicides is around 2:1. The number of suicides in India is estimated to be in the millions. For example, a study published in The Lancet predicted 187,000 suicides in India in 2010, although official data from the Indian government claims 134,600 suicides. According to WHO data, India's age-standardized suicide rate for women is 16.4 per 100,000 (6th highest in the world), and for men it is 25.8 per 100,000. (Ranking 22nd).

코로나19 이후 20대 여성 자살률 증가에 대한 사회적 요인과 목회신학적 성찰

COVID-19 has exposed many of the problems facing our society. COVID-19 has clearly revealed the contradictions and absurdities of modern society, including the climate crisis, ecosystem issues, the debate between communitarianism and individualism, the gap between rich and poor, and the anti-Asian racism. Among them, the researcher’s interest is the suicide rate of women in their 20s, which has increased sharply in our society since the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020. Why does a woman in her 20s choose to die in times of social upheaval? With this question in mind, researchers attempt a religious and sociological approach to understanding increasing suicide rates among women in their 20s during the COVID-19 era. This study has the following structure. First of all, we will closely analyze the phenomenology of suicide among women in their twenties that occurred following the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. Then, based on Durkheim’s Suicide Theory in religious and sociological terms, it will be revealed that the surge in suicide rates among women in their 20s is not an individual problem, but a response to a number of social factors. Moving on to the theological aspect, we will emphasize human responsibility by introducing criticism of theological theory, which can be called the theological answer to pain, as well as a suggestion of something to replace it.

Trends in Suicide Mortality in 10 Years around the Great East Japan Earthquake: Analysis of Evacuation and Non-Evacuation Areas in Fukushima Prefecture.

This study analyzed the suicide mortality rate in 12 municipalities in Fukushima Prefecture designated as evacuation areas following the 2011 nuclear disaster. Changes in suicide rates were examined using an exponential smoothing time series model. In the evacuation areas, the suicide rate of men increased immediately after the disaster and then decreased from 47.8 to 23.1 per 100,000 during about 1½ years after the disaster. However, with the lifting of the evacuation order, it again exceeded that of non-evacuation areas and continued to do so for the next 3 years. On the other hand, the suicide rate in women in the evacuation areas increased later than that in men. These results indicate the need for continuous support following the lifting of the evacuation order. In addition, it is necessary to enhance social networks, which continue to confer protection, because of the isolation of the elderly as highlighted in our previous study.

Recession and risk of suicide in Denmark during the 2009 global financial crisis: an ecological register-based study.

The aim of this study is to analyse the potential impact from the financial crisis (onset in 2009) on suicide rates in Denmark. The hypothesis is that the global financial crisis raised unemployment which leads to raising the suicide rate in Denmark and that the impact is most prominent in men. This study used an ecological study design, including register data from 2001 until 2016 on unemployment, suicide, gender and calendar time which was analysed using Poisson regression models and interrupted time series analysis. The correlation between unemployment and suicide rates was positive in the period and statistically significant for all, but at a moderate level. A dichotomised version of time (calendar year) showed a significant reduction in the suicide rate for women (incidence rate ratio 0.87, P=0.002). Interrupted time series analysis showed a significant decreasing trend for the overall suicide rate and for men in the pre-recession period, which in both cases stagnated after the onset of recession in 2009. The difference between the genders' suicide rate changed significantly at the onset of recession, as the rate for men increased and the rate for women decreased. The Danish social welfare model might have prevented social disintegration and suicide among unemployed, and suicide prevention programmes might have prevented deaths among unemployed and mentally ill individuals. We found some indications for gender-specific differences from the impact of the financial crises on the suicide rate. We recommend that men should be specifically targeted for appropriate prevention programmes during periods of economic downturn.

İntihar girişiminde bulunan yaşlılarda sosyo-demografik etmenlerin değerlendirilmesi

Introduction: The aim of this study is to reveal the socio-demographic and certain clinical characteristics of elderly patients admitted to the emergency department after a suicide attempt.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. The universe of the study consisted of 96 patients aged 60 and over who were admitted to emergency department of Izmir Dokuz Eylul University Hospital between 2015-2019 due to a suicide attempt. Information for the study was obtained by retrospectively scanning the files of the patients.Results: Mean age of the 96 patients included in the study was 68.22 ± 9.45 years. The most common suicide method among the patients was drug overdose (n: 59, 61.45%). It was found that 45.05% of the patients who attempted suicide had a known psychiatric diagnosis (n:41). The suicide rate of women (n:42, 43.75%) who were primary school graduates (p=0.026), had a known psychiatric illness (p=0.001), continuously used drugs (p=0.002) and used antidepressants (p<0.001) was significantly higher compared to men (n:54, 56.25%).Conclusion: Being a primary school graduate, having a psychiatric illness, and using antidepressants increase suicide rates in women. It was suggested that this group of patients with suicidal tendencies should be treated with more care in emergency department.

Monthly Suicide Rates During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from Japan

I use 2018-2020 prefecture-month-year level and gender-month-year level data on suicide rates in Japan to document how suicide rates are evolving during the COVID-19 pandemic. I use a monthly event study design to study changes in suicide rates surrounding Japan’s COVID-19 state of emergency and to trace out monthly changes in suicide rates during the first 11 months of 2020 relative to 2018-2019. I find that monthly suicide rates during the pandemic started increasing meaningfully in June-July. October exhibits the highest change in suicide rates for women. I also find that women experienced higher changes in suicide rates, relative to their 2018-2019 average suicide rate, when I compare men and women.

The development and evaluation of an evidence-based suicide prevention strategy in Flanders (Belgium)

Abstract Background Suicide rates in Belgium have been consistently high, with a current prevalence of 15.1 suicides per 100.000 inhabitants, which is 1.5 times higher than the European average. In Flanders (northern part of Belgium) more than 10.000 suicide attempts are being registered every year and studies show that 13 % of the population reports a lifetime history of suicidal thoughts. Since 2006 an extensive Suicide Prevention Strategy has been implemented in Flanders, aiming to decrease the Flemish suicide rate by 20% by 2020 (baseline year 2000). Methods The Suicide Prevention Strategy has been developed by a team of experts, involving multiple stakeholders and the lay public. The 'Flemish Centre of Expertise in Suicide Prevention' (VLESP) was launched by the government to coordinate and monitor the prevention campaigns, tools and interventions included in the strategy, and to study their effectiveness. Results The Suicide Prevention Strategy includes five key strategies namely: 1) mental health promotion, 2) providing helplines and online help, 3) educating health professionals and community facilitators, 4) developing programs targeting high risk groups, 5) developing and implementing targeted suicide prevention guidelines for health professionals and other key gatekeepers. A range of innovative suicide prevention tools and interventions, such as an e-learning course for health professionals, smartphone applications and group therapies for suicidal individuals, have been developed and positively evaluated. In 2017 (in comparison with the year 2000) suicide rates in men decreased with 27% and suicide rates in women with 26%. For suicide attempts, a decrease of 19% was noted. Conclusions Suicide prevention is a public health priority in Flanders. A combination of evidence-based tools and interventions have been developed and assessed in the past years, resulting in a decrease in suicide rates.

Shifts in gender equality and suicide: A panel study of changes over time in 87 countries

BackgroundIncreasing gender equality remains an imperative for countries and organisations worldwide, and is associated with the improved life outcomes of men and women. Unlike many health and wellbeing indicators, death by suicide is more common among men, but suicidal behaviours are more common among women. Understanding of the relationship between gender equality and suicide is inchoate, and limited to cross-sectional work. We sought to address this gap by examining within-country changes in gender equality over time, in relation to suicide rates. MethodsData from 87 countries for the years 2006–2016 were used in this analysis. Gender Equality was measured using the Gender Gap Index (GGI), produced by the World Economic Forum. Male and female suicide rates came from the World Health Organization. Fixed and random-effects unbalanced panel regression models were used, adjusting for: GDP/capita; population; urban/rural ratio; number of children/person;% unemployed; year. Models were stratified by gender. ResultsIncreasing within-country gender equality was associated with a significant reduction in suicide rates for women (Coef. −7.08, 95% CI −12.35 to −1.82, p = 0.009). For men, there was insufficient evidence that increasing within-country gender equality was associated with reduced within-country suicide rates (Coef. −5.76, 95% CI −19.40 to 7.86, p = 0.403). LimitationsThe reporting and collection of suicide data is known to vary across countries. ConclusionThere is evidence that within-country increases in gender equality are associated with significant reductions in within-country suicide-rates for women. More research is needed to understand the drivers of these associations.

Google Searches and Suicide Rates in Spain, 2004-2013: Correlation Study.

BackgroundDifferent studies have suggested that web search data are useful in forecasting several phenomena from the field of economics to epidemiology or health issues.ObjectiveThis study aimed to (1) evaluate the correlation between suicide rates released by the Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE) and internet search trends in Spain reported by Google Trends (GT) for 57 suicide-related terms representing major known risks of suicide and an analysis of these results using a linear regression model and (2) study the differential association between male and female suicide rates published by the INE and internet searches of these 57 terms.MethodsThe study period was from 2004 to 2013. In this study, suicide data were collected from (1) Spain’s INE and (2) local internet search data from GT, both from January 2004 to December 2013. We investigated and validated 57 suicide-related terms already tested in scientific studies before 2015 that would be the best predictors of new suicide cases. We then evaluated the nowcasting effects of a GT search through a cross-correlation analysis and by linear regression of the suicide incidence data with the GT data.ResultsSuicide rates in Spain in the study period were positively associated (r<-0.2) for the general population with the search volume for 7 terms and negatively for 1 from the 57 terms used in previous studies. Suicide rates for men were found to be significantly different than those of women. The search term, “allergy,” demonstrated a lead effect for new suicide cases (r=0.513; P=.001). The next significant correlating terms for those 57 studied were “antidepressant,” “alcohol abstinence,” “relationship breakup” (r=0.295, P=.001; r=0.295, P=.001; and r=0.268, P=.002, respectively). Significantly different results were obtained for men and women. Search terms that correlate with suicide rates of women are consistent with previous studies, showing that the incidence of depression is higher in women than in men, and showing different gender searching patterns.ConclusionsA better understanding of internet search behavior of both men and women in relation to suicide and related topics may help design effective suicide prevention programs based on information provided by search robots and other big data sources.

Incidence of female suicide in New York City: how important are socioeconomic factors?

After a steady decline in the incidence of suicide in the last 3 decades of the twentieth century, suicide rates in the US and likewise in New York City (NYC) began to rise. A breakdown of the city's rates by gender reveals that since 2000, suicides among men had held steady while the rate among women had increased in every age group, in divergence from the national pattern of rising rates in both genders. This study considers a broad range of socioeconomic variables to identify those most strongly associated with suicide rates of women in NYC. Drawing on 4 decades of data from the Census Bureau's Current Population Survey, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Vital Statistics and the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reporting Program, we use an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model to estimate short and long run relationships between suicide rates in women aged 15-44 and a range of socioeconomic factors. We find a positive aggregate association between women's suicide rates and the unemployment rate, the White percentage of the city's population, the number of forcible rapes reported in the crime statistics, and a negative association between suicide and abortion rates. The results of the study suggest that labor market conditions, rather than societal factors such as marriage or fertility rates affect younger women's suicide rates in NYC. Second, sexual violence against women, found in micro studies to have severe long-term negative effects on victims' mental health is also positively associated with the aggregate suicide rate. Finally, higher abortion rates correspond with lower suicide rates at the city level, but the mechanisms behind this link are not as clear, since micro studies find little association between unwanted pregnancy termination and mental health.

Suicide and tuberculosis mortality: a comparative analysis of time series

Until recently tuberculosis mortality and the suicide rates in Russia were among the highest in the world. Tuberculosis and suicide belong to the medico-social problems and these epidemiological parameters are often considered indicators of psychosocial distress. There are theoretical premises and empirical evidence which suggest the positive relationship between suicide and tuberculosis mortality at individual and population levels.&#x0D; Aim. The aim of the present study was to find out a link between the epidemiological parameters of tuberculosis and the suicide rates in Russia.&#x0D; Materials and Methods. Trends in tuberculosis incidence/mortality and the suicide rates from 1980 to 2015 were analyzed using a time series analysis in order to asses bivariate relationship between the time series.&#x0D; Results. The results of analysis indicate the presence of a statistically significant association between tuberculosis mortality and suicide rates for men at lag zero (r=0.71: SE=0.169). The association between tuberculosis mortality and suicide rates for women was also positive, but statistically not significant (r=0.26: SE=0.169).&#x0D; Conclusions. The results of this study suggest positive aggregate-level relationship between tuberculosis mortality and suicide rates in men. This study indirectly supports the hypothesis that tuberculosis mortality can be considered an indicator of psychosocial distress.

Silent Change of Suicide in the West of Iran (Kermanshah): Joinpoint Regression Analysis

Background: Suicide in Iran is more or less the problem of the western region of the country. Although previous studies have described the features of suicide, they didn’t study the trends through reliable methodology. Objectives: We study changes in temporal trends of suicide mortality in the west of Iran using joinpoint regression analysis. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Data for all registered suicide cases in western province of Kermanshah in Iran during 2003 - 2014 was retrieved from the death registry of Iranian legal medicine organization. After direct standardization of the rates, we analyzed data by joinpoint regression analysis to discover the main changes of the trends. Results: Overall suicide mortality has increased from 10.6 per 100,000 in 2003 to 12.4 in 2014, which equals to 1.5 % (+0.1 - + 2.8) annual percentage change (APC). Increase in suicide rate for women was remarkably higher than men (APC = 4.5 for women and 0.5 for men (P value < 0.001)). Majority of increase belonged to age group 20 - 29 in women and 30-39 in men. Old men have an increasing trend during the last decade. Hanging constantly increased in both genders with APC of 4.2 (+1.9 - + 6.5) while self-burning decreased after 2006 in women with APC of -5.9 (-12.6 - + 1.2) and poisoning increased in 2011 in men with APC of 17.0 (-4.0 - + 42.5). The number of suicide death in married couples has increased for both genders while for single women decreased in 2007. For women, suicide in low educated or illiterate decreased and in high educated increased, while in men it increased in both educational levels. Conclusions: Suicide in the west of Iran has increased slightly during 2003 - 2014 with remarkable differences for men and women. Suicide in old men and women has increased profoundly and may be due to losing their familial and social support in modern life. Pattern of suicide in women has changed dramatically from most rural, uneducated, and self-burned to most urban, high educated, and hanging use form.

Age–period–cohort analysis of the suicide rate in Korea

BackgroundThe suicide rate has been increasing in Korea, and the country now has the highest rank in the world. This study aimed to present the long-term trends in Korea's suicide rate using Joinpoint analysis and age–period–cohort (APC) modeling. MethodsThe population and the number of suicides for each five-year age group were obtained from the National Statistical Office for the period 1984–2013 for Koreans aged 10 years and older. We determined the changes in the trends in age-standardized mortality rates using Joinpoint. APC modeling was performed to describe the trends in the suicide rate using the intrinsic estimator method. ResultsThe age-standardized suicide rate in men rapidly increased from 1989 to 2004, and slightly increased thereafter, whereas the suicide rate in women increased from 1989 to 2009 and then decreased thereafter. Within the same period, the suicide rate was higher among the older age groups than in the younger groups. Within the same birth cohort, the suicide rate of the older groups was also higher than that in the younger groups. Within the same age group, the suicide rate of the younger cohorts was higher than it was in the older cohorts. In the APC modeling, old age, recent period, and having been born before 1924 were associated with higher suicide rates. LimitationsThe accuracy and completeness of the suicide rate data may lead to bias. ConclusionsThis study showed an increasing trend in the suicide rates for men and women after 1989. These trends may be mainly attributed to cohort effects.

Are Suicide Rates Related to the Psychiatrist Density? A Cross-National Study.

Most suicide victims have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder. Treatment of psychiatric disorders should reduce the number of suicides. Higher psychiatrist-per--population ratio increases the opportunity for contact between the patient and psychiatrist. It is reasonable to hypothesize that the higher psychiatrist density (PD) is associated with lower suicide rates. The aim of this study is to examine the association between suicide rates and the PD in the European Union countries. These countries are economically and culturally connected and located on the same continent. This is an attempt to study a relatively homogenous sample. Correlations were computed to examine relationships between age--standardized suicide rates in women and men, the PD, and the gross national income (GNI) per capita. Partial correlations were used to examine the relation between the PD and age-standardized suicide rates in women and men controlling for the GNI per capita. Higher suicide rates in women correlated with the higher PD. Controlling for the GNI per capita, the PD positively correlated with suicide rates both in women and in men. There was a trend toward a negative correlation between the GNI per capita and suicide rates in men. The PD was positively associated with the GNI per capita. Probably, higher suicide rates directly and/or indirectly affect the decisions made by policy- and lawmakers regarding mental health services and how many psychiatrists need to be trained. The results of this study should be treated with caution because many confounding variables are not taken into account.

Combined Effects of Working Hours, Income, and Leisure Time on Suicide in All 47 Prefectures of Japan

This study describes an ecological study that evaluated the combined effects of working hours, income, and leisure time on suicide in all 47 prefectures of Japan. In men, the age-adjusted rate of suicide (per 100,000 population) was significantly correlated with working hours (r=0.587, p<0.0001) as well as significantly and negatively correlated with income (r=−0.517, p=0.0002) and times for the leisure activities of self-education (r=−0.447, p=0.0016) and hobbies (r=−0.511, p=0.0002). In addition, a stepwise multiple regression analysis identified time for leisure social activities as a determining factor in suicide rate, even after adjusting for working hours and income. However, the impact of time for leisure social activities on suicide rate was smaller than that of working hours and income. In contrast, none of these factors affected suicide rate in women. These results suggest that increasing leisure time may be useful for preventing suicide among men in Japan.

Arbeitslosigkeit, Suizid- und Tötungsraten in den EU-Staaten

While the link between the unemployment and the national suicide rates is confirmed by various studies, there are few investigations on the impact of unemployment on homicide rates. In particular, it is not known whether suicide and homicide are associated with the same socio-economic factors. Using linear regression method, the influence of unemployment rates, per capita incomes and annual alcohol consumption on suicide and homicide rates was examined in the 27 EU states. We found a positive correlation between suicide and homicide rates. Unemployment among men is a strong predictor not only for suicide- but also for homicide rates. Suicide rates in men are also affected by the annual alcohol consumption. The suicide rates in women, however, correlate neither with socio-economic variables nor with alcohol consumption. Unemployment seems to have a stronger impact on the male than on the female identity. Since the former is still highly dependent on predetermined social roles.

Association Between Social Factors of Health Ageing and Longevity: Determinants of the Longevity Index (LI) in OECD Countries

This study estimates the longevity index (LI) of centenarians and elucidates the influence of correlates of social factors as healthy ageing on the LI of centenarians in countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The data for the analysis of centenarians in the selected 18 OECD countries were obtained from the population censuses conducted by the National Statistical Offices of these member countries. This study utilized the demographic databases of centenarians from the above countries to calculate the following parameters: the proportion between the centenarians and the total population. Although significant positive correlations were found between the LI of centenarians and social factors such as health expenditure as a percentage of the gross domestic product (HGDP), and public expenditure on health (PH) and dependency expenditure ratio (DR), negative correlations were found between the LI of centenarians and social factors such as, suicide rates in both genders (SR), suicide rates in women (SRW), and occupational injuries (OI). Finally, the LI predictors were used to form a model of healthy ageing, with higher HGDP as health expenditure, and higher DR as dependency expenditure, and lower SRW as risk of life, including lower OI as labor injuries (R2 = 0.909, P = 0.023). The findings imply that an aged society plays an important role in ensuring the continued longevity of older people; therefore, the governments of OECD countries must strengthen their preventive social programmers and increase their existing support services for the elderly through increased financing of the health sector.

Increased Use of Antidepressants in Women Decreases Suicides in Men

The suicide rate has decreased in many countries, while the use of antidepressants has increased. In our previous study, the decrease in suicide rate between 1994 and 2001 was greater in men than in women, but the increase in use of antidepressants was greater in women than in men. We hypothesized that the increase in the use of antidepressants in women associates with the decrease in suicide rate in men. Population-based suicide rate and reimbursed antidepressant prescriptions, an indicator of antidepressant use, between 1994 and 2001 in Finland were analyzed in the whole population. Variance in the suicide rates in men and women was explained by antidepressant prescriptions for men and women, age, time period, and geographical region in Poisson regression analyses. The decrease in suicide rate in men associated significantly with the increase in antidepressant prescriptions in women even though the model took into account the effect of increased antidepressant prescriptions in men, as well as the effects of age, time, and region (risk ratio [RR] = 0.70, P = .004, in the model without age; RR = 0.89, P = .048 in the complete model). However, the decrease in suicide rate in women did not associate with the increase in antidepressant prescriptions in men. Increased prescription of antidepressants in women associates with a decreased suicide rate in men. Increased use of antidepressive medication in women may decrease depressiveness in their microsocieties and thereby reduce the risk of suicides also in men.