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Trends and Availability of Suicide Methods in Finland

Proposals for Restrictive Measures

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

A. Ohberg ,
J. Lonnqvist ,
S. Sarna ,
E. Vuori  and
A. Penttila
A. Ohberg*
Affiliation:
Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki
J. Lonnqvist
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki
S. Sarna
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki
E. Vuori
Affiliation:
Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki
A. Penttila
Affiliation:
Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki
*
A. Ohberg, Department of Forensic Medicine, PO Box 40 (Kytösuontie 11), SF-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
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Abstract

Background

Trends and availability of the methods used for suicide in Finland were analysed in order to base proposals for prevention of access to methods.

Methods

Finnish suicides from 1947 to 1990 were analysed by sex, age, time period and suicide method using confidence intervals for rates, χ2 test for trends and suicide risks for different medicines.

Results

Suicide rate by parathion, a highly lethal pesticide and commonly used for suicide in the 1950s, decreased after its availability was restricted, but this was offset by an increased rate by other methods. Since 1982, the suicide risk for antidepressants and neuroleptics increased coincident with their availability, although that for barbiturates remained stable but high despite a reduction in availability. Suicide risk for antidepressants other than tricyclics decreased despite increased availability.

Conclusion

Restriction of a method reduces its use for suicide, but other methods tend to replace it. Restrictive measures should focus on some specific situations. Antidepressants other than tricyclics are recommended for the treatment of suicidal depressive patients.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 166 , Issue 1 , January 1995 , pp. 35 - 43
Copyright
Copyright © 1995 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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