Do nations' mental health policies, programs and legislation influence their suicide rates? An ecological study of 100 countries.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that the presence of national mental health policies, programs and legislation would be associated with lower national suicide rates.


METHODS
Suicide rates from 100 countries were regressed on mental health policy, program and legislation indicators.


RESULTS
Contrary to the hypothesized relationship, the study found that after introducing mental health initiatives (with the exception of substance abuse policies), countries' suicide rates rose.


CONCLUSIONS
It is of concern that most mental health initiatives are associated with an increase in suicide rates. However, there may be acceptable reasons for the observed findings, for example initiatives may have been introduced in areas of increasing need, or a case-finding effect may be operating. Data limitations must also be considered.
Burgess
Philip
P
The University of Queensland, Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Wacol, Australia. p.burgess@uq.edu.au
Pirkis
Jane
J
Jolley
Damien
D
Whiteford
Harvey
H
Saxena
Shekhar
S
D019049:Developed Countries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004463:Ecology; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016730:Program Development; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*