Suicide Rates, Life Satisfaction and Happiness as Markers for Population Mental Health

This study examined the association of variables from survey data on well-being with suicide rates & other markers of population mental health in Europe. An ecological study correlated life satisfaction & happiness in 32 countries with suicide rates, rates of hospital discharge for mental & behavioural disorders, & prevalence of mental disorders based on registered psychiatric patients. An inverse association was found between suicide rates & life satisfaction & happiness. The association of suicide rates & life satisfaction was strongest in the age group, 65 & older. A similar pattern was observed for the association with happiness. The association between suicide & life satisfaction in Eastern Europe was similar to that in the whole dataset but a positive association was seen in western Europe. (24 refs.) JA