Suicide and suicide attempts among young persons in Copenhagen

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to describe the development in the incidence of suicides among young Danes (15 to 34 years of age) and to describe a population of young persons in Copenhagen who attempted suicide and were admitted to the Poisoning Treatment Centre at Bispebjerg Hospital. On the basis of publications from “Danmarks Statistik”, the Statistical Department of the Municipality of Copenhagen, and the National Board of Health, age-specific suicide rates were calculated for the period 1970 to 1989 for the whole country and for 1976 to 1989 for Copenhagen. For a period of 1 year young persons from Copenhagen, aged 15 to 34, admitted to the Poisoning Treatment Centre of Bispebjerg Hospital, had a registration form filled in by the doctors from the psychiatric department who evaluated them. Information of sociodemographic data, previous psychiatric treatment, psychiatric evaluation, abuse, previous suicide attempts, the nature of the poisoning, and offers of treatment. A significant increase in the suicide rate for 15- to 34-year-old men could be proved, while there was no increase for women. Among the patients admitted to the Poisoning Treatment Centre, men, abusers, and the group of patients who had previously attempted suicide several times were specially strained groups. The conclusion is that persons having attempted suicide should be considered a high-risk group for whom preventive measures should be planned. Further, a large group of young persons should be the object for informative efforts, as many of those who die by suicide have not previously attempted suicide. Among the group of young persons from Copenhagen who were admitted after suicide attempts only a minority was employed. This might indicate that prevention of suicide attempts and suicide among young persons should also require a social effort to reduce unemployment among young persons.