Suicide Deaths in England and Wales: Trends in Factors Associated With Suicide Deaths

This article examines trends in different factors known to be associated with suicide mortality in an attempt to gain a better insight into the reasons for the changes. In particular, it is hypothesized that for young men the increasing numbers remaining single or becoming divorced may explain about half of the increases observed between the early 1970s & late 1980s. This age-group of men has also been affected by high unemployment rates, exposure to armed combat, increasing risk of imprisonment, & an increase in the misuse of alcohol & other drugs. There is little evidence of a rise in the prevalence of mental illness. Further research is needed to improve knowledge about the impact of these & other factors on suicide rates. (24 refs.)