Death by hanging: implications for prevention of an important method of youth suicide.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with deaths by hanging among young people in Queensland, Australia.


METHODS
An examination of coroner's reports for all deaths by hanging of people under 25 years of age that occurred in Queensland in the years 1995 and 1996.


RESULTS
All cases were recorded as suicides. Most were males and a quarter were indigenous persons. Half the deaths occurred in regional or rural areas. Unemployment, the experience of personal loss, psychiatric illness and alcohol use were possible precipitating agents. Early warning signs were the onset of uncharacteristic behaviours and threats of suicide.


CONCLUSIONS
The private nature of hanging means that there are rarely opportunities to prevent it in the period immediately before the fatal event. Earlier interventions will have to be considered. To prevent hanging as a means of suicide, we need to understand more about the difficulties experienced by some young men who are living in rural areas. We need more information about the cultural problems experienced by indigenous youths in their teenage years. Young people in the justice system may need personal support. There is a pressing need to determine if young people, especially in rural areas, have adequate access to the professional expertise needed to diagnose and treat mental disorders.
Kosky
R J
RJ
Department of Psychiatry, The University of Adelaide, Norwich Centre, North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. rkosky@medicine.adelaide.edu.au
Dundas
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011793:Queensland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012944:Social Support; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000092864:Suicide Prevention