Suicide in South Africa: an Analysis of Nationally Registered Mortality Data for 1984-1986

Nationally registered suicide data for South Africa, 1984-86, were analyzed. There were 5,448 suicides in this period. Proportional mortality & mean annual suicide mortality rates were highest for whites, followed by Asians & then coloureds. For whites, the most common methods of suicide was by firearms. Except for coloured females, hanging was the most common method for all other groups. Political, economic & religious factors may account for some of the differences. (42 refs.)