Has the Suicide Rate Risen with the 2011 Queensland Floods?

Abstract

This study compared the prevalence and characteristics of suicides following the January 2011 Queensland floods to the 11 years prior (for the period January–June) for two severely affected locations: Ipswich and Toowoomba. Findings showed no significant increase in suicide rates during the 6 months after the floods. This may be explained by the elevated level of social support and care available in this period, which protected residents against risk factors for suicide. Nonetheless, the floods may have a delayed effect on suicide mortality. This highlights the importance of continued monitoring of suicidal behaviors and providing support to the people affected.

KEYWORDS:

• natural disasters
• Queensland floods
• suicide

Acknowledgments

Queensland Health provides continuous funding and support in the management of the Queensland Suicide Register, which was used as the primary data source for this study.

Notes

Note: Mean age of suicides was 41.2 years in 2011 and 42.0 years in 2000–2010 (t = −.172, p = .863).

^a Cases with unknown or missing values were excluded (marital status: 18, or 17.5%; ethnicity: 8, or 7.8%; employment status: 23, or 22.3%; living arrangements: 27, or 26.2%).

*p < .05.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Diego De Leo

Diego De Leo is a professor and the director of the Australian Institute of Suicide Research and Prevention (AISRAP). His research expertise includes definitional issues in suicidology, culture and suicide, international trends, and national suicide prevention programs.

Lay San Too

Lay San Too is a research assistant at AISRAP. Her main interests include cultural determinants of suicide and epidemiology of suicidal behavior.

Kairi Kõlves

Kairi Kõlves is a senior research fellow at AISRAP. Her research expertise includes epidemiology of suicidal behavior, youth suicidal behavior, alcohol in suicidal processes, and cross-cultural comparisons of suicide.

Allison Milner

Allison Milner is a research fellow at AISRAP. Her research expertise includes social change and determinants of health, suicide in Western Pacific countries, and social influences on suicide.

Naoko Ide

Naoko Ide is a senior research assistant at AISRAP. Her main interests include migration and suicide and social determinants of suicide.