A monitoring project within the framework of EU supported MONSUE multicentre study on suicidal behaviour has been performed in Pecs catchment area.

To register and statistically analyze all suicide attempts, thus to explore current trends and consequences.

Detailed and complete data registration (epidemiologic, socio-demographic, socio-economic, previous attempts, methods, psychiatric diagnoses) of all suicide attempts was carried out in the region for two years from 2007 to 2009. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 17.0 to compare our results both with those of the previous study in 1999 and with the national data.

According to the Hungarian National Statistic Office 2500 suicides occurred in 2008, the population rate is 24.7/100000 inhabitants (40.1/100000 males, 10.7/100.000 females). The most common method for suicide was strangulation in both genders (male: 69.2%, female: 41%). The rate of self-poisoning was higher in females. Regarding suicide attempts we registered 993 cases during the two-year period (males: 41.7%, mean age 38.43 years; females: 58.3%, mean age 42.02 years), which corresponds to former rates. Female attempters were more likely repeaters (60% vs. 40%). The most often used method for suicide attempt was self-poisoning (females 81.9%, males 63.4%) and scarification (females 8.6%, males 21.1%).

These results suggest that the rates of completed suicides decreased significantly to three quarter compared to the rates in the ‘90s, but in contrary suicide attempts show an increasing tendency. The potential explanations are discussed, including restriction of lethal methods, health care changes and the role of prevention strategies.