Suicide in Fiji: a review of the literature

Clinical experience, public perceptions and research have indicated that the Indian community have been overrepresented in suicide statistics in Fiji. A computerised Medline search of the literature back to 1966 on suicide and ethnicity in Fiji using the search words SUICIDE and FIJI was performed supplemented by other relevant research and published material. A consistent pattern of higher suicide rates for the Indian population in Fiji compared to the indigenous Fijian population was found. Factors including religious and cultural beliefs, higher suicide risk in rural areas, use of toxic biocides as a method of suicide and relatively high suicide rates in young Indian women are discussed. Evidence for Indian vulnerability to suicide in Fiji has to date been based upon uncontrolled, descriptive observations. Helpful directions for future research include studying postulated vulnerability variables for suicide in the Indian community.