Year: 1998 Source: European Symposium on Suicide and Suicidal Behaviour, (7th: 1998: Gent), p.P-70 SIEC No: 20051261

This presentation discussed a study of patterns of train suicides in The Netherlands with emphasis on the changes of the daily pattern in the course of the year. All verified train suicides, 2830 cases, over a 15-year period were included in the study. Suicide rates were investigated as a function of clock time, as a function of time relative to sunrise & sunset, & as a function of clock time & time of year simultaneously. At nighttime, the rate drops to about 10% of its daytime values. Rates increase almost two-fold shortly after sunset. There is a second, equally pronounced peak with occurs consistently about 8-10 hours earlier than the evening peak.