Year: 1998 Source: Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, v.98, no.6, (December 1998), p.467-473 SIEC No: 19981173

Police records of all 769 suicides in Hong Kong in 1992 & the suicide notes that were left (224 notes by 154 subjects) were examined. Note-leavers were characterized as young females, of non-widowed marital status, with no history of suicide attempts, no previous psychiatric illness, & with religious beliefs. Notes written by young people were longer, rich in emotions & often begged for forgiveness. Notes written by the elderly were shorter, contained specific instructions & were less emotional.