Trends in Youth Suicide in Tasmania: a Comparison Between Youth and Other Suicide (IN: Preventing Youth Suicide: Proceedings of a Conference Held 24-26 July 1990, edited by S McKillop)

Data were obtained from the Tasmanian coroner’s inquest files in which a decision of suicide or an open verdict was rendered during the period 1968-1987. Comparisons were made between victims aged 19 & less & those aged 55 & over. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of a previous suicide attempt. The younger group was significantly less likely to have had contact with health care providers; to display normal behaviour in the days before death; to have reasons for suicide related to interpersonal problems & adverse life events; & significantly more likely to have modelled the behaviour. There was an increasing trend involving the use of firearms among both age groups. (33 refs.)