YOUTH SUICIDE IN NORWAY, 1990-1992 - A COMPARISON BETWEEN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS COMPLETING SUICIDE AND AGE-MATCHED AND GENDER-MATCHED CONTROLS

In Norway 1990-1992, the suicide rate was 18.6 per 100,000 individuals per year for boys 15-19 years old and 6.3 for girls, and for 10-14 ye ar olds the rate was 2.7 for boys and 0.5 for girls. Comparison of all completed suicides (N = 129) with gender-and age-matched control subj ects identified depression (OR = 19.9; CI = 11.2, 35.5), disruptive di sorders (OR = 6.0; CI = 3.1, 11.4), and previous suicidal behavior (OR = 3.4, CI = 2.0, 5.6) as main risk factors. Of the suicide completers , 74% had mental disorders. Suicidal intent was previously expressed b y 48%, but few (24%) had received treatment, despite well-developed he alth services. A history of disruptive disorders (17%) and substance a buse (10%) were less frequently found than in previous studies, but bi nge drinking may contribute to the adolescent suicide rate.