Attempted Suicide in West London, I. Rates Across Ethnic Communities

Two previous studies from the United Kingdom have suggested that rates of attempted suicide in Asian women are higher than in the native population. Over a 1-year period, 434 patients were identified from one catchment area after presenting with episodes of self-harm. Asian women had the highest overall rates, 1.6 times those in white women & 2.5 times the rate among Asian men. The rates were lowest among older women. Among younger Asian women (less than 30 years) the rates were 2.5 times those of white women & 7 times those of Asian men. The rates among black groups were lower than expected. Self-poisoning was the most common method of self-harm. (28 refs.)