[Suicide in a large West German city (1985-1989)]

Frankfurt/M. is a city with a high proportion of foreign inhabitants (20.3%), households with one person only (49.4%) and a decreasing number of persons associated to a religious community. Suicides committed in 1985-89 were reviewed. Among the 631 cases, 408 were men and 223 women. 30% of these male and 22% of the female suicides were performed by singles. 30% of all persons were between 20 and 40 years old. With increasing age the percentage of women increased too. In the suicide rate a peak was observed in April. During the week men committed suicide frequently at the weekend and on Monday, women more often on Friday. 61% of women and 74% of men used violent methods of suicide, such as hanging, shooting or jumping. About 37% of female and 51% of males were under the influence of alcohol, but only 2% of women and 12% of men reached a concentration exceeding 1%. Foreign people were represented less than expected, only 10.9%, and unemployed were also rare. The results confirm those observed in other big cities.