Analyzed trends in male-female suicide ratio in Australia, using data for 1901-85. Found that modernization, measured by index composed of female participation in labor force and urbanization rate, was positively related to male-female suicide ratio. Also found that female suicide rate in Australia has been falling significantly since mid-1960s.…

Examined national data on firearm suicides and accidental deaths for 15- through 19-year-olds from 1955-1979. Considered improved accuracy in determination and certification of suicide in equivocal firearm deaths, actual increases in rate of firearm suicides, or combination. Data support hypothesis of certification changes as primary factor…

Reviews relevant neurochemical findings in postmortem suicide studies, looking specifically at association between serotonergic dysfunction and suicide. Explores relative strengths and weaknesses of studies and provides overview regarding advantages and shortcomings of given technique or approach. Notes that data presented in review provide…

Explored death-dip phenomenon, previously reported decrease in death occurring before significant dates, with cohort of 4,800 psychiatric patients. Compared dates of death with each individual's birthday, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Found no death-dip phenomenon, significant increase in accidental death preceding birthdays, suggested suicide…

Examined self-reported suicide ideation and suicide attempts among 2,393 Mexican-Americans and non-Hispanic whites. exican-Americans born in Mexico reported significantly lower age- and gender-adjusted lifetime rates of suicide thoughts than Mexican-Americans born in the United States, who reported significantly lower rates than non-Hispanic…

Notes that rural family is vulnerable to overwhelming crises and that adolescent suicide may result from or add to stress. Identifies and examines specific stressors with which rural adolescent must deal, coping mechanisms used, and how failure of coping strategies can lead to suicidal behavior. Examines therapeutic modalities available and…

Describes Aokigahara-jukai (Jukai), a dense forest at the foot of Mt. Fuji which is well known as a leading suicide site in Japan, with about 30 people committing suicide there each year. Discusses three cases of psychogenic amnesia following attempted suicide there. Discusses amnesia as an alternative to suicide. (Author/ABL)

Research review on classification and counting of deaths reveals little hard evidence supporting claims that suicides are seriously underreported in United States. Literature suggests that underreporting is counterbalanced by overcounting. Estimates maximum likely net undercount, taking compensating overcounts into account, to be under 10%…

Notes that, in North America, older women are less likely to be suicidal than older men. Focuses on older women's low rates of suicide mortality. On basis of literature review, suggests several hypotheses, including one that gender differences in suicide mortality reflect differences in coping and another that gender differences are influenced by…

Examined whether intervention after suicide attempt could decrease risk of repeat attempt in following two years. Experimental subjects (n=63) attended 18 therapy appointments over 1 year; controls (n=63) received usual care. Of experimental subjects, 35 percent made repeat attempts, compared to 30 percent of controls. Study had 99 percent power…

Notes that U.S. military policies emphasize humanitarian approach to issue of suicide, yet military law may view suicidal behavior as deviant and may prosecute suicide attempters. Cites convictions of soldiers for attempted and assisted suicides. Reviews recent court decisions and suggests revisions in military law. (Author/NB)

Examined significance of survivor-victim relationship in understanding grief following sudden death bereavement by suicide or accident. Results showed that survivor-victim attachment was more important than survivor status (parent versus sibling/child) in explaining grief reactions. Compared to accident survivors, suicide survivors experienced…

Reviews development of safe treatment plans for suicidal patients in context of the psychodynamic formulation and therapeutic alliance. Suggests that decision to hospitalize is based upon patient issues: diagnosis, support system, history, and current stressors. Recommends that clinician err on side of conservative management with early…

Approximately 60% of suicides are due to major affective illness; another 20% are due to affective spectrum disorders. Suicidal patients should be evaluated for major and minor psychiatric illness presenting with self-destructive impulses, and diagnosis-specific psychopharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, and sociotherapy should be provided. (Author)

Reviews epidemiology of suicide among terminally ill. Discusses clinical assessment and management of suicidal terminally ill, emphasizing differences from evaluation and treatment of other suicidal individuals. Focuses on methodological issues inherent in studying treatment and characteristics of this population. Suggests blurring of line between…