title: Suicides among military conscripts between 1991-2007 in Finland--a descriptive replication study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Suicide mortality in Finland particularly among young people remains high, compared with other European countries. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among military conscripts in Finland.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this record-based study, we investigated characteristics of all 48 suicides among Finnish conscripts during the period 1991-2007.
  
  
  METHODS
  We collected and analyzed healthcare records during military service and medicolegal investigations (medicolegal autopsy) of suicide victims.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 48 suicides, 36 (75%) were completed during leave days. Shooting, hanging and jumping were the most common methods used; a service gun was used in four (14%) of the 29 shooting cases. One-third of the victims had been in contact with military healthcare during the week preceding their suicide, and two-thirds during the preceding month.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When conscripts use healthcare services, suicidal thoughts should be actively asked of those conscripts with history of any risk factors for suicidal behavior.
authors: Tanja Laukkala, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Psychiatrist, Field Medicine Services Unit, Centre for Military Medicine, Finnish Defence Forces , PO Box 50 FI-00301 Helsinki , Finland.
authors: Tanja
authors: T
authors: Laukkala
authors: Timo
authors: T
authors: Partonen
authors: Mauri
authors: M
authors: Marttunen
authors: Markus
authors: M
authors: Henriksson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult; D000092864:Suicide Prevention