Self inflicted deaths in Auckland: a study of 1057 cases

In the eleven year period from 1 January 1976 to 31 December 1986, 1057 people took their own lives in the Auckland colonial area. These cases were analysed with respect to age, sex and mode of death. The totals have increased from 68 (1976) to 116 (1986). There were 723 males and 334 females. The total number of males has increased from 41 (1976) to 80 (1986) and the females from 27 (1976) to 36 (1986). This shows that over the period studied there was a significant difference between male and female suicide rates and a greater increase in male rate compared with female rate. The largest number of deaths for both males and females occurred in the 20-29 years age group. Drugs and poisons were the most common method used followed by hanging and the inhalation of carbon monoxide from car exhausts.