Youth Suicide in New South Wales: Urban-Rural Trends 1964-88 (IN: Preventing Youth Suicide: Proceedings of a Conference Held 24-26 July 1990, edited by S McKillop)

This paper reports an analysis of the official suicide statistics for young people aged 10-19 years in New South Wales, Australia. It particularly considers firearms suicides & urban-rural trends. Data analysis shows suicide is more likely to occur among older youth, with considerable increases seen among males from age 15. The major method of suicide among males was firearms; among females it was poisoning. Most suicides occurred in urban areas although youth suicide rates in rural New South Wales have increased consistently over the period 1966-1986. Differences in gender & method between urban & rural suicides were examined. Some possible reasons for the increase in youth suicide in New South Wales are discussed. (16 refs.)