International Suicide Rates and Prevention Strategies

by Diego De Leo, Russell Evans

Overview

This book analyzes the latest trends in suicide rates and attempts around the world using data from the WHO's Mortality Database. It covers the whole life span from childhood (under 15 years) through to late adulthood (65 years and over). This comprehensive examination of international trends pro-vides a uniquely clear picture of suicide mortality in the last half century, with an emphasis on recent and emerging trends. Controversially, the book then goes on to examine the impact of national suicide prevention strate-gies, national mental health plans, substance use policies, and the use of antidepressant medications on suicide mortality, providing some astounding initial data on the efficacy or lack of efficacy of these activities in the prevention of suicide.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780889372887
Publisher:	Hogrefe Publishing
Publication date:	09/30/2004
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.60(d)

Table of Contents

	Foreword	v
	Acknowledgements	vii
	Table of Contents	ix
	List of Tables	xiii
	List of Figures	xv
Part I	Data
Chapter 1	Introduction	3
	Reliability of international suicide mortality data	4
	Analysis and presentation of data	7
	Data source	7
	Classification of countries	7
	Classification of age groups	8
	Analysis and presentation of data	9
	Global data	9
	National trends	9
	Impact of suicide prevention strategies, mental health programmes, and substance abuse policies on suicide mortality rates	9
	Analysis and presentation of data	9
	Interpretation	10
	Limitations	11
	Conclusion	12
Part II	Trends in Suicide Mortality
Chapter 2	Global Trends in Suicide Mortality	15
	Suicide as a cause of death	15
	Global suicide trends and changes in age-specific rates	18
	Conclusion	20
Chapter 3	National Suicide Mortality Trends in Childhood (Under 15 Years)	21
	Conclusion	23
Chapter 4	National Suicide Mortality Trends in Adolescence (15-24 Years)	24
	Most recent mortality data	24
	Old World	26
	New World	27
	Scandinavia	29
	Eastern Europe	30
	Southern Europe	32
	Western Europe	33
	Asia	35
	Conclusion	36
Chapter 5	National Suicide Mortality Trends in Young Adulthood (25-44 Years)	37
	Most recent mortality data	37
	Old World	38
	New World	40
	Scandinavia	41
	Eastern Europe	43
	Southern Europe	44
	Western Europe	46
	Asia	47
	Conclusion	49
Chapter 6	National Suicide Mortality Trends in Middle Adulthood (45-64 years)	50
	Most recent mortality data	50
	Old World	51
	New World	53
	Scandinavia	54
	Eastern Europe	56
	Southern Europe	57
	Western Europe	59
	Asia	60
	Conclusion	62
Chapter 7	National Suicide Mortality Trends in Late Adulthood (65 Years and Over)	63
	Most recent mortality data	63
	Old World	64
	New World	66
	Scandinavia	67
	Eastern Europe	69
	Southern Europe	70
	Western Europe	72
	Asia	73
	Conclusion	75
Part III	Impact of Prevention Strategies
Chapter 8	The Impact of Comprehensive National Suicide Prevention Strategies on Suicide Mortality	79
	International responses to suicide	79
	Development of national suicide prevention strategies	80
	Differences between national suicide prevention strategies	81
	Target groups	81
	Components	81
	The impact of national suicide prevention strategies on suicide rates	82
	Adolescents (15-24 years)	83
	Finland	83
	Norway	84
	Australia	85
	Sweden	85
	Summary	86
	All ages	86
	Finland	86
	Norway	87
	Australia	87
	Sweden	88
	Summary	89
	Limitations	89
	Evidence-based suicide prevention strategies	90
	Conclusion	91
Chapter 9	The Impact of Mental Health Programmes on Suicide Mortality	92
	Psychiatric disorders as a risk factor for suicide	92
	Affective disorders	92
	Psychotic disorders	93
	Anxiety disorders	93
	Personality disorders	94
	International responses to mental illness	94
	The impact of mental health plans on suicide rates	96
	Adolescents	97
	All ages	97
	Beyond mental health programmes: The need for specific suicide prevention activities	97
	Conclusion	100
Chapter 10	The Impact of Substance Abuse Policies on Suicide Mortality	101
	Substance abuse as a risk factor for suicide	101
	Alcohol	102
	Opiates	104
	Cannabis	105
	Cocaine	105
	Amphetamines	105
	International responses to substance abuse	106
	The impact of national substance abuse polices on suicide trends	107
	Adolescents	108
	All ages	110
	Conclusion	111
Part IV	Other Factors Impacting on Suicidal Behaviour
Chapter 11	The Impact of Antidepressants on Suicide Mortality	115
	The role of depression and its treatment in suicide prevention	115
	History of antidepressants and prescription trends	116
	Efficacy of antidepressants in the treatment of depression	117
	Efficacy of antidepressants in the prevention of suicide	117
	The paradoxical effect of antidepressants in the prevention of suicide	119
	A combined approach to the treatment of depression in the prevention of suicide	120
	Conclusion	121
Chapter 12	Unemployment and Suicide	122
	Time series analyses	122
	Cohort studies	123
	Conclusion	124
Chapter 13	Period Effects, Cohort Effects, and Suicide Rates	125
	Evidence for cohort effects	125
	Limitations	126
	Factors influencing cohort and period effects	127
	War and economic conditions	127
	Cohort size and the "Baby Boom Generation"	128
	Suicide means and legislative restrictions on means	129
	Media	130
	Mental health	131
	Conclusion	132
Appendix	The ARIMA Model in Time Series Analyses	135
	References	137

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Steven T Herron, MD (CPI/Assurance Health and Wellness)
Description: With the increasing tendency of more frequent suicide attempts and completions, this book presents trends in the study of suicide using data obtained from various cultures throughout the world.
Purpose: The authors present their data in an attempt to analyze the statistical impact of "national suicide prevention strategies, mental health plans, substance use policies, and the use of antidepressant medications on suicide mortality."
Audience: Although this book is directed mainly at researchers, clinicians, and mental health advocates interested in statistical data surrounding those attempting and completing suicide, it may also be useful for policy makers, such as administrators, mental health corporation executives, or politicians who desire to learn more about this complex issue.
Features: Much of the book contains graphs, tables, and charts illustrating significant points from the text. At times these visual aids are enlightening. However, they can also be quite confusing, creating the need to refer to the text for a detailed description of the material. Fortunately, the book is divided into four parts, including a discussion of the data used, trends in suicide mortality, the impact of prevention strategies, and "other factors impacting on suicidal behavior." There are 11 pages of alphabetically listed references at the end of the book.
Assessment: While not to be read from cover to cover, this book contains useful and interesting information easily accessible by referring to the table of contents. Specifically, one section details various countries' suicide rates compared to per capita alcohol consumption. The data is surprising, indicating alcohol may play less of a role in suicide (depending on the country) than previously thought. Undoubtedly, numerous methodological problems exist with obtaining and interpreting the data. However, this study is a valiant attempt to identify and prioritize information possibly useful for the development of more sophisticated and effective prevention strategies for suicidal behavior.

Doody's Review Service

3 Stars from Doody