Suicide Among Indigenous Sami in Arctic Norway, 1970-1998

Suicide mortality was examined between 1970-1998 in a cohort of 19,801 indigenous Sami in Arctic Norway. Standardized mortality ratios were calculated using the suicide rates of the rural population of Arctic Norway as reference. There was a significant moderate increased risk for suicide among indigenous Sami. 89 suicides occurred in the cohort (70 men, 19 women). Significant increased suicide mortality was found for young Sami, aged 15-24. Significant increased suicide mortality was found for indigenous Sami males residing in the Sami core area & for indigenous Sami males not belonging to semi-nomadic reindeer herding. Clusters of suicides in the Sami core area may explain the increased suicide mortality found in subgroups among indigenous Sami. (37 refs.) JA