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Suicide in Israel: 1985-1997.
Ricardo Nachman1, Ornit Yanai, Leib Goldin
1National Center of Forensic Medicine, Ministry of Health, Israel.
Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience : JPN
|December 21, 2002
Summary
Suicide rates in Israel increased annually from 1985-1997, with men aged 20-30 most affected. Hanging was the most common suicide method for men, while jumping was most common for women.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Suicide remains a significant public health concern globally.
- Understanding temporal trends and demographic patterns is crucial for targeted prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze suicide rate trends in Israel between 1985 and 1997.
- To identify demographic and method-specific patterns in suicide within this period.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of autopsy-confirmed suicide cases in Israel.
- Data collection spanned a 13-year period (1985-1997).
Main Results:
- An overall annual increase in suicide rates was observed.
- Suicide rates were three times higher in men than women.
- Rates peaked in the second and third decades of life.
- Hanging was the predominant method for men; jumping from heights for women.
- These methods differed from common methods in Western countries.
Conclusions:
- The rising suicide rates may correlate with immigration, substance abuse, depression, and socio-political factors.
- Further research is needed to identify specific precipitating factors for suicide in Israel.