title: Update of suicide trends in croatia 1966-2002.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze trend the suicide rates in Croatia during the pre-war period of socialistic Yugoslavia (1966-1990), war period in the former Yugoslavia (1991-1995) and the post-war period of Croatian independence and democratization (1996-2002).
  
  
  METHODS
  Using official suicide statistics, this study examined suicide rates in Croatia over a 36-year span (1966 to 2002) as a function of gender, age, marital status, time, war and social changes. Suicide rates were displayed graphically and compared with some neighbouring countries (Slovenia, SCG, Hungary and Italy).
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the period of socialistic Yugoslavia, suicide rate in Croatia was constantly increasing with small variations. During the war time suicides with firearms were significantly increased. Since 1993 (the period of independence and democratization) there has been a trend of evident decrease in total suicide rate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrated that Croatia has still had high suicide rates with declining trend since 1993, probably related to democratization, more national, religious and cultural rights, better availability of SSRIs and systemic campaign for education of general practitioners for early recognition and treatment of depressive disorders.
authors.affiliation: University Psychiatric Clinic Rebro, Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, Kispatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia, miro.jakovljevic@mef.hr.
authors.forename: Miro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jakovljević
authors.forename: Biserka
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sedić
authors.forename: Marko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martinac
authors.forename: Darko
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marcinko
authors.forename: Dulijano
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ljubicić
authors.forename: Herman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vukusić