Relationship of suicide rates to social factors and availability of lethalmethods - Comparison of suicide in Newcastle upon Tyne 1961-1965 and 1985-1994

Background The UK Government's White Paper Saving lives: Our Healthier Nati on included among its targets a reduction in suicide. Aims To study causes of change in suicide rate over a 30-year period in New castle upon Tyne. Method Suicide rates and methods, based on coroners' inquest records. were compared over two periods (1961-1965 and 1985-1944) and differences were re lated to changes in exposure to poisons and prescribed drugs, and to socio- demographic changes. Results Demographic and social changes had taken place which would adversel y affect suicide rates. However, a dramatic fail was found in the rate for women, and a modest decline in that for men. Reduced exposure to carbon mon oxide and to barbiturates coincided with the fall in rates. Conclusions Reduced exposure to lethal methods was responsible for the fall in rate in both genders, while the vender difference in favour of women ma y be related to their preference for non-violent methods or to their being less affected by the social changes. Declaration of interest None.