Changes in the pattern of admissions for attempted suicide in Newcastle upon Tyne during the 1960s

Comparison of 726 admissions to Newcastle upon Tyne General Hospital for attempted suicide in the period 1 October 1966 to 30 September 1969 with a previously reported series of 276 in 1962-4 showed an overall increase in annual admissions of 77%. For both sexes under age 30 years and females over 60 years the increase was over double. Psychiatric morbidity had increased, and there was also a significant rise in the proportion of unemployed men.The relative frequency of ingestion of non-barbiturate psychotropic or hypnotic drugs and barbiturates had changed, the former now being more common than the latter as the suicidal agent. Finally, there had been a significant increase in the proportion of patients receiving subsequent psychiatric treatment.