Suicide and self-burning among Indians and West Indians in England and Wales

Suicide levels in England and Wales during 1979-83 were low among males from the Indian subcontinent (SMR 73) and significantly high in young Indian women (age-specific ratios 273 and 160 at ages 15-24 and 25-34 respectively). Suicide levels were low in Caribbeans (SMRs 81 and 62 in men and women respectively) and high in East Africans (SMRs 128 and 148 in men and women respectively). The excess in East Africans (most of whom are of Indian origin) was largely confined to younger ages. Immigrant groups had significantly higher rates of suicide by burning, with a ninefold excess among women of Indian origin. The pressures leading to higher suicide levels among young women of Indian origin highlight the need for making appropriate forms of support and counselling available to this community.