Parasuicide in male conscripts: a Singapore experience

This is a retrospective study of 156 cases of parasuicide in a homogenous population of male conscripts in the Singapore Armed Forces. The rate of parasuicide was 12.5 per 100,000 soldiers at risk. Suicide attempters were from the lower rank and one-third were undergoing basic military training at the time of their attempts. Drug ingestion was the commonest method and this was followed by jumping from a height, a method unique to the Singapore experience. Most of the conscripts gave no prior warning and appeared to have no strong desire to kill themselves. Interpersonal problems was the predominant reason given for their suicide attempts.