Attempted Suicide by Adults

SUICIDE is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States among 15-to 24-yearolds, fifth among 25to 44-year olds, and sev¬ enth for those between the ages of 45 and 54(1).Suicide ranks 11th for the total popula¬ tion and 8th for the total white male popula¬ tion.Despite these statistics, suicide has re¬ ceived little attention as a public health problem, not so much, perhaps, because of its complexities but because of the fears, anxieties, and guilt aroused by death in our society.Sui¬ cide, in particular, intensifies these feelings, which may account for the seeming public apathy.Studies of completed and attempted suicides are needed to develop a better under¬ standing of this cause of death.They would also lead to improved methods of identifying persons who might act out suicidal impulses and to the designing of preventive and treat¬ ment programs. Sample and ProcedureIn a previous study, the focus was upon attempted suicide by children and adolescents under the age of 18 (#).This study examines 1,112 consecutive attempted suicides by per¬ sons 18 years of age and over who came to the attention of the Philadelphia Police De¬ partment in the 2-year period April 1959 to April 1961.The sample excludes persons who subsequently died as a result of their attempt and those who police doubted had actually made an attempt.When more than one at-