title: Pattern of suicides in 2009: data from the National Suicide Registry Malaysia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The National Suicide Registry Malaysia (NSRM) is a nationwide system that captures data on completed suicides in Malaysia from all forensic departments under the purview of the Ministry of Health Malaysia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This paper examines all suicidal deaths reported to the NSRM from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2009. The relevant variables were recorded in the paper-based Case Report Form (CRF) and then entered into the online reporting system for analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall suicide rate for 2009 was 1.18 per 100,000 population (n = 328). The age range was 14-94 years, with a median of 37 (IQR 24) years. There were more men than women, the gender ratio being 2.9:1 (males : females), and the majority (89% or 293/328) were Malaysian citizens. Ethnicity-wise, Indians had the highest suicide rate of 3.67 per 100,000. The Malays and Bumiputera of Sabah and Sarawak had lower rates of 0.32 to 0.37 per 100,000. Mental illness was reported in 22% (72/328) of the cases and physical illnesses in 20.4% (67/328). Previous suicide attempts were reported in 15.5% (51/328) of cases. History of substance abuse was present in 28.7% (83/328). Life events were positive in 41.2% (135/328) of cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Malaysia is able to generate statistics on suicide by enhancing the collaboration between forensic, psychiatry and clinical research agencies. These trends should be monitored to gain a better understanding of suicide trends.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital Selayang, Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Nor Hayati
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Khairul Anuar
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Zainun
authors.forename: Norharlina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bahar
authors.forename: Jamaiyah
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Haniff
authors.forename: Abdul Muneer
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hamid
authors.forename: Mohamad Adam Hj
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Bujang
authors.forename: Mohd Shah
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Mahmood
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Malaysia; demographic profile; intentional self-harm; registry; suicide