Why are the British hanging themselves?
Suicide statistics for Britain (England and Wales) from 1950 to 1990 are analysed. A rising suicide rate among males, particularly the young, is associated with an increased use of hanging as a suicide method. The same trend is not seen among females. Death by hanging can seldom be concealed or regarded as other than suicide, so statistics for suicidal hanging are likely accurate. Increased suicidal hangings cannot be explained by changes in the availability or awareness of the method and must reflect change in choice of method. Hanging as a suicide method has been historically unpopular in Britain because of the dishonorable repute associated with its use for judicial execution. The abolition of judicial hanging in Britain in 1965 may have led to an increased acceptability of hanging as a suicide method. The resultant increased use of this highly lethal method may be one underlying cause of the increased numbers of completed suicides and the rise in the suicide rate.
Pounder
D J
DJ
Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Dundee, Scotland.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001237:Asphyxia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology