Is There a Causal Association Between Suicide Rates and the Political Leanings of Government?

This editorial comments on Page et al’s study of the association between suicide rates in New South Wales during the twentieth century & ecological variables, e.g. the nature of the governing political party (conservative or social democratic). Several concerns are raised about the conclusions reached by Page & his colleagues. If the association is causal, the present authors ask how this knowledge can be used to support a reduction in suicide rates. (5 refs.)