The Epidemiology of Suicidal Behaviour in Australia

There has been a striking rise in the suicide rate in Australia over the past 20 years. Between 1955 and 1965, the rate has risen from 15.1 per 100,000 in men to 18.8 and from 5.4 per 100,000 in women to 10.8 (W.H.O.). This rise is largely due to increase in self-poisoning. Studies of Victorian data from the last 20 years reveal that the rise is particularly evident in men between the ages of 25 and 44 and in women under the age of 35 and over the age of 55. It is much more evident in the metropolis of Melbourne, suggesting the importance of social factors. There has also been a two to three times increase in cases of attempted suicide due to self-poisoning with various commonly prescribed drugs presenting in casualty departments of general hospitals since 1955. Detailed study of 150 cases seen at the Alfred Hospital in 1969 reveals the predominance of women, the importance of interpersonal, marital and family difficulties, and of social isolation, as well as past parental deprivation. These findings indicate the desirability of restricting sedative drug prescriptions, the need for befriending services in the city, a knowledge of social services available, and education for married and family life. Better training in developmental and social psychology for medical practitioners, nurses, ministers of religion and the police will also help in prevention.