Suicide Amomg Soldiers and Young Men in the Nordic Countries 1977-1984

A comparison of suicide rates among soldiers & civilians in the Nordic countries during 1977-1984 revealed that suicides among soldiers were more frequent in Norway than in Sweden & Finland. An in-depth study of the suicides of Norwegian soldiers during the same time period points to selection procedures & distance from home to the soldier’s duty camp as possible causal factors. The suicides were frequently precipitated by an acute crisis. Preventive measures are discussed.