Suicide in Wolverhampton (1976-1990)

A total of 394 individuals died by their own hand in Wolverhampton from the years 1976 to 1990. The rate of suicide was 10.5/100,000 per year, compared with the official statistics returned by HM Coroner of 232 cases in this 15-year period, or 6.2/100,000 per year. Suicide does not appear to have increased in the Borough of Wolverhampton over these 15 years but the Coroner's Rules, which at present apply, have the effect of concealing the true numbers of suicides. The Coroner's figures in this series only reflected 59% of the probable true suicide rate. The ratio of males to females was 1.96:1 and there was no significant difference in the average ages of male and female suicides. Drowning was found to be a common cause of suicide in the elderly population (over 60 years of age) and there was an increased incidence of hanging in Asians, especially young Asian females, as compared with their numbers in the population of the borough. A positive psychiatric history was present in 64.5% of suicides and such a history was more common in deaths due to drug overdose and drowning. There was no obvious seasonal variation found in the suicide rate.