Effect of Availability and Acceptablility of Lethal Instruments on Suicide Mortality: An Analysis of Some International Data

Suicide mortality between 1969-1973 in 11 countries is examined in relation to the methods used. Some countries have substantially high suicide rates for each method, others have increased mortality for certain specific methods. In this latter group it is suggested that some of the variatins in total suicide mortality can be explained by variations in either the availability or the acceptability of certain specific instruments for causing death, particularly domestic gas, firearms & hanging.