Parasuicide in a Northern Swedish county 1989–1995 and its relation to suicide

The epidemiology of parasuicide and its relation to suicide during the years 1989-1995 was studied in a northern Swedish county. The total parasuicide rate was declining, especially among older women and among men within the 15-24 age group, and a decrease in the overall parasuicide/suicide ratio was found. Groups with the highest parasuicide rate revealed the lowest suicide rate, and reversed, groups with the highest suicide rate revealed the lowest parasuicide rate. Among the parasuicide population, I.8% committed suicide within one year, and 3.3% within 3 years. Suicides among the monitored cases of parasuicide 1989-1995 constituted about 14.5% of the suicides in the area during 1989-1996, suggesting that even by successful treatment of current parasuiciders only a limited proportion of the suicides would be prevented. However, it is argued that parasuicide should be regarded as a public health problem in its own rights, since it is causing tremendous pain and suffering among the persons involved.