Year: 2004 Source: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, v.38, no.11-12, (2004), p.933-939 SIEC No: 20070368

This study tested the hypothesis that the presence of national mental health policies, programs, & legislation would be associated with lower national suicide rates. Suicide rates from 100 countries were regressed on these indicators. Contrary to the hypothesis, the study found that after introducing mental health initiatives (with the excpetion of substance abuse policies), countries’ suicide rates rose. However, there may be acceptable reasons for this finding, for example, initiatives may have been introduced in areas of increasing need or a case-finding effect may be operating. Data limitations must also be considered. (22 refs.)