Trends in adolescent suicide mortality in the WHO European Region

Suicide in Austrian children and young adolescents aged 14 and younger

INTRODUCTION

Research on suicide in childhood and early adolescence is sparse. We investigated suicide cases of children and young adolescents in terms of prevalence, gender differences, suicide methods and monthly distribution during a period of 32 years.

METHODS

Registered suicides aged 14 or younger occurring between 1970 and 2001 (n = 275) in Austria were studied.

RESULTS

The mean suicide rate for 10 to 14-year-olds was 1.4 per 100,000 with a male-female ratio of 3.1:1. The total child and young adolescent suicide rate and boys' suicide rates decreased over the study period. However, there was no significant fluctuation in girls' suicide rates. Hanging was the predominant suicide method in both genders. Use of this method decreased steadily over the study period, whereas the percentage of suicides by other methods, i.e., jumping and firearms suicides increased. Greater number of suicides in children and young adolescents was observed during the months of April/May and October/November.

CONCLUSION

Suicide rates of children and young adolescents in Austria are on the decrease, in accordance with a reported decrease in the general suicide rate in Austria.

Youth suicide risk factors and attitudes in New York and Vienna: a cross-cultural comparison

The prevalence of suicide risk factors and attitudes about suicide and help-seeking among New York and Viennese adolescents were compared in order to explore possible cross-cultural differences. Viennese adolescents exhibited higher rates of depressive symptomatology than their New York counterparts and had more first-hand experience with suicidal peers. More attribution of suicide to mental illness was reported in Vienna; yet Viennese youth were less likely than New York adolescents to recognize the seriousness of suicide threats. Help-seeking patterns of Viennese adolescents were influenced by their setting a high value on confidentiality. These cross-cultural differences may reflect the limited exposure of Austrian youth to school-based suicide prevention programs. The findings highlight the need of taking the sociocultural context into consideration in the planning of youth suicide prevention strategies.

Suicides in the Young People of Geneva, Switzerland, From 1993 to 2002

Suicides in Geneva in those less than 25 years old, from 1993 to 2002, were reviewed. Scenes investigations, autopsy findings, toxicology results, and psychiatric history (when available) were examined. There were 65 cases. The average annual suicide rate was 11/100,000. Seventy-seven percent were male, and 23% were female. The youngest was 12 years old and most of the victims were 18 years old and over (89%). For men, the use of firearms was the most common method (38%), followed by fall from height (16%) and drowning (10%). For women, fall from height was the most frequent (40%), followed by firearms and medication overdoses (20% each), hanging (13%), and drowning (7%). Toxicological analysis was performed in 41% of the cases and showed that alcohol was present in 26% and other drugs in 67% of these cases. The most common drugs present were benzodiazepines, cannabis, and cocaine.

Suicide among Viennese minors, 1946-2002

OBJECTIVES

The first documented conference on suicide among school pupils was held by the Viennese Psychoanalytical Society in 1910, yet since then research on youth suicide in Vienna and Austria has been sparse. We investigated cases of suicide among Viennese minors over a period of 57 years in terms of prevalence, gender differences, suicide methods and monthly distribution.

METHODS

We studied registered suicides among Viennese youths aged 19 or younger occurring between 1946 and 2002 (n = 683).

RESULTS

The total suicide rate and the rates for male and female suicides among Viennese minors decreased over the period studied. The mean suicide rate was 6.2 per 100,000 (statistics on suicides per 100,000 were available only for the period 1953-2002), with a male-female ratio of 2.1:1. The predominant suicide method was domestic gas until its detoxification in Vienna. From 1976 jumping from a height became the most common suicide method of Viennese minors; it was also the predominant method among females, whereas hanging was the predominant method among males. Since 1996 the percentage of firearm suicides among males has doubled, and jumping suicides among females have tripled. A greater number of suicides among minors took place during the months of January, June, October and December.

CONCLUSIONS

Suicide rates of Viennese minors are on the decline, corresponding to a reported decrease in the general suicide rate in Austria. In view of an observed recent increase in firearm suicides among males and jumping suicides among females aged 19 and younger, further monitoring as well as legal and environmental prevention measures are needed.

Time trends in child and adolescent mental disorders

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

1995 saw the publication of a major review of time trends in psychosocial disorders of youth across the second half of the twentieth century. It found evidence for substantial increases in rates of youth crime, alcohol and drug use, depression and suicide in most industrialized countries in the decades following the Second World War, slowing in some instances in the 1980s. Ten years on, we review findings on more recent trends in rates of these and other indicators of child and adolescent mental health.

RECENT FINDINGS

Prevalence estimates for autism spectrum disorders have increased in recent decades, as has public and professional awareness of hyperactivity and attention deficits. Trends in adolescent conduct problems, and in alcohol and drug use, appear to reflect culture-specific influences. Rates of suicide among young males, and self-harm among females have risen in many countries in recent years; trends in emotional disorders are more varied, but there is little evidence for any rise in rates of anorexia nervosa. Although some contributors to these trends have been identified, much remains to be learned about the key risks involved.

SUMMARY

Monitoring time trends in child and adolescent mental health is essential for service planning; knowledge of changing trends can also provide important pointers to potential risk factors. Current data sources allow relatively reliable tracking of trends in some areas, but remain severely limited in others. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying recently identified trends in child and adolescent mental health.