Background. There are few cross-national comparisons of the rates of suicide ideation and attempts across diverse countries. Nine independently conducted epidemiological surveys using similar diagnostic assessment and criteria provided an opportunity to obtain that data. Methods. Suicide ideation and attempts were assessed on the Diagnostic Interview Schedule in over 40000 subjects drawn from the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, France, West Germany, Lebanon, Taiwan, Korea and New Zealand. Results. The lifetime prevalence rates/100 for suicide ideation ranged from 2·09 (Beirut) to 18·51 (Christchurch, New Zealand). Lifetime prevalence rates/100 for suicide attempts ranged from 0·72 (Beirut) to 5·93 (Puerto Rico). Females as compared to males had only marginally higher rates of suicidal ideation in most countries, reaching a two-fold increase in Taiwan. Females as compared to males had more consistently higher rates for suicide attempts, reaching a two- to three-fold increase in most countries. Suicide ideation and attempts in most countries were associated with being currently divorced/separated as compared to currently married. Conclusions. While the rates of suicide ideation varied widely by country, the rates of suicide attempts were more consistent across most countries. The variations were only partly explained by variation in rates of psychiatric disorders, divorce or separation among countries and are probably due to cultural features that we do not, as yet, understand.

In Deutschland nehmen sich jedes Jahr ungefähr 10.000 Menschen das Leben, die Rate an Suizidversuchen ist dabei um das 10-fache höher. Das Suizidrisiko steigt bei beiden Geschlechtern mit dem Lebensalter. Der demographische Wandel mit steigender Lebenserwartung und sinkender Geburtenhäufigkeit geht mit einer zunehmenden Überalterung der Gesellschaft einher. Die Relevanz der Problematik des Alterssuizids wird sich somit in den nächsten Jahren und Jahrzehnen noch verdeutlichen. Ausgewertet wurden: Todesbescheinigungen, polizeiliche und staatsanwaltschaftliche Ermittlungsakten, Sektionsakten, Veröffentlichungen des Statistischen Landesamtes Sachsen und des Bundesamtes Insgesamt 366 Personen und somit 1,4 % starben in diesem Zeitraum durch vorsätzliche Selbstbeschädigung, davon waren 267 männlichen und 99 weiblichen Geschlechts. Es waren sowohl bei den unter 65-Jährigen als auch bei den über 65-Jährigen signifikant mehr Männer unter den Suizidenten. Das Durchschnittsalter der Zwickauer Suizidenten lag 2013 bei ca. 60 Jahren und ist damit seit 1994 um über fünf Jahre gestiegen. Bei den über 80-jährigen Suizidenten fand sich im Vergleich zu den unter 80-Jährigen eine statistisch hochsignifikante Zunahme. Die höchste Suizidrate ist bei den über 80-jährigen Männern zu verzeichnen.

Background. There are few cross-national comparisons of the rates of suicide ideation and attempts across diverse countries. Nine independently conducted epidemiological surveys using similar diagnostic assessment and criteria provided an opportunity to obtain that data. Methods. Suicide ideation and attempts were assessed on the Diagnostic Interview Schedule in over 40000 subjects drawn from the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, France, West Germany, Lebanon, Taiwan, Korea and New Zealand. Results. The lifetime prevalence rates/100 for suicide ideation ranged from 2·09 (Beirut) to 18·51 (Christchurch, New Zealand). Lifetime prevalence rates/100 for suicide attempts ranged from 0·72 (Beirut) to 5·93 (Puerto Rico). Females as compared to males had only marginally higher rates of suicidal ideation in most countries, reaching a two-fold increase in Taiwan. Females as compared to males had more consistently higher rates for suicide attempts, reaching a two- to three-fold increase in most countries. Suicide ideation and attempts in most countries were associated with being currently divorced/separated as compared to currently married. Conclusions. While the rates of suicide ideation varied widely by country, the rates of suicide attempts were more consistent across most countries. The variations were only partly explained by variation in rates of psychiatric disorders, divorce or separation among countries and are probably due to cultural features that we do not, as yet, understand.