Death by hanging: implications for prevention of an important method of youth suicide

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with deaths b y hanging among young people in Queensland, Australia. Method: An examination of coroner's reports for all deaths by hanging of pe ople under 25 years of age that occurred in Queensland in the years 1995 an d 1996. Results: All cases were recorded as suicides. Most were males and a quarter were indigenous persons. Half the deaths occurred in regional or rural are as. Unemployment, the experience of personal loss, psychiatric illness and alcohol use were possible precipitating agents. Early warning signs were th e onset of uncharacteristic behaviours and threats of suicide. Conclusions: The private nature of hanging means that there are rarely oppo rtunities to prevent it in the period immediately before the fatal event. E arlier interventions will have to be considered. To prevent hanging as a me ans of suicide, we need to understand more about the difficulties experienc ed by some young men who are living in rural areas. We need more informatio n about the cultural problems experienced by indigenous youths in their tee nage years. Young people in the justice system may need personal support. T here is a pressing need to determine if young people, especially in rural a reas, have adequate access to the professional expertise needed to diagnose and treat mental disorders.