DOCSLIB.ORG

Double-Suicide in Modern Japan

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Double-Suicide in Modern Japan Behavioural Sciences ︱ Professor Fumiko Satoh Double-suicide kittiwat chaitoep/Shutterstock.com Reasons that drive people to suicide are complex and may differ depending on socio-demographic factors and circumstances. Anin modern ageing society’s crisis Japan: Suicide, double-suicide, and ouble-suicide, particularly among HOMICIDE-SUICIDE homicide-suicide are a significant couples, was a significant public FREQUENCY ESTIMATES public health concern in Japan. Dhealth concern in Japan after Professor Satoh and colleagues extracted In particular, double-suicide, the Second World War, when arranged data from autopsy reports on unnatural which was relatively common marriages stopped being the norm and deaths that occurred in Kanagawa Chronic illness has been reported as an among lovers immediately after people began to marry partners of their Prefecture (which is second to Tokyo important risk factor for suicide among the the Second World War, has re- choice. Nevertheless, in some cases, as the largest area of Japan in terms of elderly in Hong Kong. Suicide, double-suicide, and homicide- suicide are a significant public health eggeegg/Shutterstock.com emerged in Japan among the parental objections held a significant population) from 1999 to 2011. In their concern in Japan. elderly and their overburdened sway, leading couples to take their lives in study, homicide-suicide was defined as a carers. Professor Fumiko Satoh fear they wouldn’t be able to be together. suicide case following a killing of a family and colleagues from the Kitasato Although social norms have since relaxed, member, spouse, or lover, and details of to ascertain and often require in-depth elderly parents or partners. To address illness), economic and life problems University School of Medicine contemporary Japan is seeing a return demographic and forensic characteristics interviews with the surviving bereaved; this issue, in April 2000, Japan launched (especially relevant among men), have examined prevalence rates of this phenomenon. Japan, currently of all eligible cases were examined. concurrently, previous research has a long-term care (LTC) insurance system and family problems. and proposed likely reasons for ranked seventh in suicide incidence rates Overall, there were 76 homicide-suicide suggested that over half of all homicide- that aimed to solve the problem of caring double-suicide and homicide- worldwide, is grappling with an ageing cases, involving 169 people, with an suicide perpetrators were clinically for the frail elderly by supporting home Chronic illness has been reported as an suicide among the Japanese society where the burden of care over average of 5.8 cases of homicide-suicide depressed at the time of the event. care and reducing caregiver burden. important risk factor for suicide among elderly, identifying health, family, the frail leads to caregiver exhaustion occurring per year. A third of all cases The system was expected to decrease the elderly in Hong Kong. In addition, and economic problems as some that may result in violence. With this in involved married couples, and two-thirds Compared to the rest of the world, the the number of murders on insurance depression, the risk of which increases of the driving forces. mind, the government is taking measures involved parents and their children, suicide rate for Japan in this study was recipients committed by their caring with age, has also been reported as a to understand the scale and address the with an even gender split between higher than for the United States or kin. However, studies have shown that driving force behind suicide among the mechanisms behind double-suicide and the perpetrators. Motivations were the Netherlands, but comparable to instead of decreasing, the number of elderly, suggesting that identifying and homicide-suicides, which, to-date, remain confirmed in 40% of cases, and included Switzerland. In contrast, homicide rate murder cases in this population in fact treating depression among the elderly poorly understood. Fumiko Satoh and pain from sickness, psychiatric disorder, was lower compared to the Netherlands colleagues from the Kitasato University family financial, and couple relationship and United States, but comparable to School of Medicine have examined problems, as well as caregiver and Switzerland. Regarding the homicide- Health, family, and economic problems prevalence rates and proposed likely maternity anxiety. Nevertheless, these suicide rate, the highest rate was explanations for double-suicide among findings should be approached with reported for the United States, with the are some of the forces driving suicide the elderly in Japan. caution, as reasons for suicide are difficult Netherlands, Switzerland, and Japan rates among the Japanese elderly. reporting a comparable rate. The striking differences in the data came when increased, following the introduction of should be high on the public health comparing the gender of perpetrators; this system. A systematic review revealed policy agenda. Policy notwithstanding, while it was evenly split between genders that the most frequent perpetrators of dealing effectively with depression in Japan, the majority of perpetrators such murders are husbands and wives, requires collaboration between in the United States or Switzerland followed by sons or daughters and their physicians, nurses, psychiatrists, and were male. parents. The majority of victims have been administrative organisations. As social reported to be bedridden due to stroke isolation, particularly among the frail SOCIAL PROBLEM or dementia. living in rural areas, can exacerbate Homicide-suicide within families, such symptoms of depression and increase risk as mothers killing their children ahead of REASONS FOR VIOLENCE of suicide, interdisciplinary collaboration taking their own lives, is a significant social Reasons that drive people to suicide is paramount. problem in Japan. At the same time, as are complex and may differ depending the number of the elderly increases, it is on socio-demographic factors and Understanding the other factors that may a problem that is shifting demographics, circumstances. In this particular context, drive suicide rates among the elderly in affecting more and more people who common risk factors for suicide include Japan requires further research. Some crumble under the burden of care for their health problems (e.g., physical or mental reports have proposed that changes in www.researchoutreach.org www.researchoutreach.org High levels of unemployment and difficulties The autopsy table at Kitasato University finding work are thought to increase the risk of School of Medicine. suicide, particularly among the youth. Behind the Research Professor Fumiko Satoh E: [email protected] T: +81-42-778-9026 W: https://jssc.ncnp.go.jp/en/index.php Research Objectives References As an expert in forensic medicine, Professor Satoh’s research Inoue, T., Fukunaga, T., Okazaki, Y., Ono Y. (2011). Report on transcends the medical, legal, and scientific sectors. Her suicide trends in persons aged 60 or over in Japan: the need work focuses on sudden natural death, morphological for effective prevention measures. Med Sci Law, 51, 32-35. Cultural context is proposed as a set of analysis, developing molecular biology analytical systems, https://doi.org/10.1258/msl.2010.010068 independent risk factors for suicide in sudden infant death syndrome, and the development Japan, for example, the collectivist tradition He, M., Ohrui, T. (2009). Homicides of frail older persons by that prioritises the group over an individual. of drug toxicology analytical assays. their caregivers in Japan. J Am Geriatrics Soc, 57(1), 173-174 Marco Fine/Shutterstock.comMarco Glowonconcept/Shutterstock.com Russell, R., Metraux, D., Tohen, M. (2016). Cultural influences on suicide in Japan. Psych Clin Neurosci, 71, 2-5. doi:10.1111/ the socio-economic wellbeing of the job, compounding the stigma against The Japanese are generally very conscious Detail pcn.12428 elderly persons, especially men, might bankruptcy and increasing the risk of of how they are viewed by their peers, affect their risk of suicide; however, suicide, particularly among individuals and maintaining group harmony, often Department of Legal Medicine, Satoh, F., Osawa, M. (2016). Trend of homicide- whether this is an independent risk factor, whose social network had been at the expense of personal freedom, is Kitasato University School of Medicine, suicide in Kanagawa Prefecture (Japan): Comparison or whether this is a factor associated with previously restricted to colleagues. Even a widespread expectation. Historically, 1-15-1, Kitasato, Minami-ku, with Western countries. Med Sci Law, 56(4), 258-263. doi:10.1177/0025802416668769 depression, remains to be elucidated. among workers who managed to retain suicide has been viewed as an extreme Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan employment, the stress of increased form of restoring social order, dealing ECONOMY AND SUICIDE workload and higher expectations with shame and guilt, and repenting Bio Personal Response Nevertheless, what is currently known is combined with lessening of protections for failures. Suicide has also been Professor Satoh graduated from Tokai University school of that recession is a risk factor for suicide. had resulted in deaths from overwork. romanticised in literature, contributing Medicine in 1994. She received her PhD in Medicine in 2000 Following the economic downturn of to permissive attitudes toward it. Recent before working
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Suicide: a Unique Epidemic in Japan a High GDP, a Literacy Rate of 99
    Suicide: A Unique Epidemic in Japan Magdalena Wilson College of Arts and Science, Vanderbilt University Japan, a country with a long life expectancy, strong economy and stable political system seems like an unlikely place to encounter a deadly global epidemic. Yet, the unique history and culture of Japan, including its religion, media, and economy, create a setting in which rates of suicide are reaching unprecedented levels. The culture of Japan combined with the peculiar nature of suicide, which allows it to evade clear classification as a disease, creates an intriguing public health challenge for Japan in tackling this epidemic. A high GDP, a literacy rate of 99 percent, a performing a form of seppuku more appropriate for healthy life expectancy of 72-78 years, and a health times of peace, junshi or “suicide to follow one‟s lord budget of 1660 international dollars per capita (World to the grave,” (59) as an outlet for expressing their Health Organization 2005) are not the features valor and dedication to their lord. Seppuku emerged typically associated with a country suffering from one yet again in a slightly different form in the 17th of the worst outbreaks of a deadly global epidemic. century Japanese legal system as a somewhat more Then again, nothing is really typical about the suicide dignified alternative to the death penalty. Throughout epidemic in Japan. In general, suicide is a growing the next two hundred years, seppuku remained central public health problem globally, with international to Japanese society in its various forms until Japan suicide rates increasing 60 percent in the last 45 years began to modernize during the Meiji period in the late (World Health Organization 2009).
    [Show full text]
  • Sunshine and Suicides in Japan: Revisiting the Relevance of Economic Determinants of Suicide*
    DE GRUYTER DOI 10.1515/cj-2013-0006 Contemporary Japan 2013; 25(2): 105–126 Ulrike Schaede Sunshine and Suicides in Japan: revisiting the relevance of economic determinants of suicide* Abstract: This paper investigates how exposure to sunshine affects the suicide rate in Japan, especially in relation to economic variables. Using prefecture- based data on socioeconomic variables for the years 1993–2009, the paper con- firms existing research in finding a significant correlation between suicides and unemployment, for both men and women. The interaction between sunshine and unemployment is also significant, and further analysis reveals that unem- ployment is not an important factor for suicide in high-sunshine prefectures, whereas in low-sunshine areas the effect of unemployment on the suicide rate rises. The divorce rate is highly significant and positive for men, but significant and negative for women, suggesting that many Japanese women consider divorce liberating. Current suicide research in Japan with its strong emphasis on economic variables may benefit from an inclusion of measures of general well-being. Keywords: suicide, divorce, socioeconomic factors, sunshine, SAD Ulrike Schaede: University of California, San Diego, e-mail: [email protected] 日照と自殺の関係：日本における自殺に関する経済的要因の再考察 ウリケ・シェーデ 本稿は日照がいかに日本における自殺率、特に経済変数との関係性を調査す るものである。1993年から2009年（都道府県統計）の社会経済変数基礎デー タで調べたところ、先行研究の結果も明らかしたように、男女とも対象とし た自殺と失業に関する有意な相関関係が確認された。また日照と失業との間 * I am indebted to Brian Main at the University of Edinburgh for valuable support. Nicholas Sramek provided excellent research assistance, and an anonymous journal reviewer offered helpful feedback. The contribution by Kuniaki Nemoto to an earlier project is gratefully acknowledged, as are comments from participants at the UC San Diego “Japan Lunch” work- shop series. All remaining errors are mine.
    [Show full text]
  • Special Article 1
    Special Article 1 By Rene Duignan Author Rene Duignan Introduction week nights and weekends for two years. People laughed at the tiny In a war on suicide, who is the enemy? scale of our project but gave us an interview anyway. After a year doing 96 interviews and a year editing 100 hours of footage the Despite having one of the highest living standards and the longest movie was almost complete, but I collapsed from exhaustion. I life expectancy in the world, Japan has tragically lost over 450,000 remember the peace I felt while in a hospital bed on a drip. I used lives to suicide in the last 15 years. Attempted suicides could be 10 this precious time to make the final movie edits in my head as I knew times that figure, according to the World Health Organization. From each scene by heart. 1995 to 2009, a decline in suicide was achieved in most OECD I am not naive enough to believe that with this uncomfortable topic countries but the rate increased by 40% in Japan (Chart). In the we could ever make it onto Japanese TV, so we work at the international context, Japan’s suicide rate is double that of the United grassroots level. We made DVDs and have started to do screenings, States, three times that of Thailand, six times higher than Greece and and the audience reactions have been incredible. One audience 12 times larger than the Philippines. member told me that the movie was like an answer to his prayers. I felt compelled to make a documentary on how Japan could Many people have shared personal stories of suicide loss with me reduce suicide but many people warned me this was a foolish idea, after seeing the movie.
    [Show full text]
  • How Is Suicide Different in Japan?
    Maison Franco-Japonaise Séminaires de recherche Mardi 26 février 2008 How is Suicide Different in Japan? by Joe Chen, Yun Jeong Choi, and Yasuyuki Sawada Université de Tokyo Presented by Yasuyuki Sawada 1 Aims of Our Study A rash of suicides, starting from the late 1990’s, has become a major issue in Japan. Aims of our research project, “Studies on Suicide (SOS),” are to: z Summarize evidence on suicides in Japan through international comparisons z Uncover determinants of high suicide rates in Japan z Identify effective policy instruments 2 Outline of Presentation 1. Facts on Suicide in Japan 2. Sociological and Economic Theories on Suicides 3. Possible Determinants of Suicides: Empirical Investigations I using Cross-Country Data 4. Possible Determinants of Suicides: Empirical Investigations II using Micro Data from the joint Lifelink and University of Tokyo Survey 5. Policies 3 1. Facts on Suicide in Japan z Suicide is a serious problem in current-day Japan. ¾ Jinshinjiko, (train) accidents involving human bodies, is part of the daily life of Tokyo residents. In many Tokyo metro stations, barriers on the platforms have been constructed recently to stop suicide jumps into trains. ¾ The growing use of the internet to learn about effective suicide methods or even to form a suicide group. ¾ High-profile suicides are reported in the media: The 1968 Nobel Prize in Literature Laureate Yasunari Kawabata (1899-1972), Yukio Mishima (1925-1970), 62 years old Toshikatsu Matsuoka, the sitting Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan and a successively 6 times elected member of the House of Representatives, hanged himself on 28 May 2007, hours before he was to face questioning in the Diet over a series of scandals in his political career.
    [Show full text]
  • Depression and Suicide
    Depression and Suicide JMAJ 44(8): 359–363, 2001 Yoshitomo TAKAHASHI Chief, Department of Suicidology, Tokyo Institute of Psychiatry Abstract: Among the various mental disorders which tend to be closely related to suicide, depression is a particularly important risk factor. Many patients suffering from depression commit suicide never having had access to psychiatric care or proper treatment. Although depressed mood, psychomotor retardation, anxiety, and autonomic symptoms may occur in depression, patients suffering from depres- sion often visit a primary care physician rather than a psychiatrist, complaining of various somatic symptoms. Therefore, the role of the primary care physician, not only that of the psychiatrist, is critical in preventing such patients from committing suicide. In this regard, the present report outlines means of assessing suicide risk in depressed patients. Since early diagnosis and implementation of intensive treat- ment for depression provide a good chance of preventing suicide, every physician should know how to assess the risk of suicide. Key words: Depression; Suicide; Risk factors; Accident-proneness Introduction This report focuses on assessment of the risk of suicide in depressed patients. Since early According to statistics published by the diagnosis and implementation of intensive treat- National Police Agency, 31,957 individuals com- ment provide a good chance of suicide preven- mitted suicide in Japan in 2000, a rate of 25.2 tion, it is important that every physician be well per 100,000 population.1) Among the causes of informed as to how to assess the risk of suicide. suicide, physical illness was the most common, accounting for 34.9% of all suicides.
    [Show full text]
  • Geographies of Suicide and the Representation of Self-Sacrifice in Japanese Popular Culture and Media
    Megan Rose O'Kane 40082809 Geographies of Suicide and the Representation of Self-Sacrifice in Japanese Popular Culture and Media 27/04/16 Word Count: 13,142 1 This dissertation has been submitted towards the degree of BSc Honours in Geography at Queen's University Belfast. I certify that all material in this dissertation is my own, except where explicitly identified. 2 Abstract Japan's suicide rate is the highest in the developed world. Despite being a nation famous for its economic prosperity, Japan has a multitude of issues relating to social development. Patrick Smith (1997) writes about 'the samurai who carries a briefcase', a visual metaphor which effectively conveys the cultural schizophrenia plaguing the mentalities of modern Japanese society. The convergence of deep- rooted traditional Japanese philosophies with the modern capitalist mindset has resulted in a very unique and convoluted moral code among the contemporary Japanese population. Unlike Western society, suicide carries no social stigma and at times is even celebrated; a mindset inherited from generations of honourable self- sacrifice instilled by the samurai code. This research paper explores two famous pieces of Japanese popular media, and assesses the ways in which representations of suicide are produced and consumed. By focussing on the identification of geographies of suicide, spatially and temporally specific Japanese social maladies, and the sensationalisation of suicide in the media, this paper provides a comprehensive insight into the social realities reflected in these fictional works. 3 Acknowledgements I could not have completed my dissertation without the emotional support from my family and friends. I would like to single out my mother for all her proof-reading and constant support, I cannot thank her enough.
    [Show full text]
  • The Portrayal of Suicide in Postmodern Japanese Literature and Popular Culture Media
    University of Vermont ScholarWorks @ UVM UVM Honors College Senior Theses Undergraduate Theses 2014 The orP trayal of Suicide in Postmodern Japanese Literature and Popular Culture Media Pedro M. Teixeira Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/hcoltheses Recommended Citation Teixeira, Pedro M., "The orP trayal of Suicide in Postmodern Japanese Literature and Popular Culture Media" (2014). UVM Honors College Senior Theses. 15. https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/hcoltheses/15 This Honors College Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Undergraduate Theses at ScholarWorks @ UVM. It has been accepted for inclusion in UVM Honors College Senior Theses by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks @ UVM. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE PORTRAYAL OF SUICIDE IN POSTMODERN JAPANESE LITERATURE AND POPULAR CULTURE MEDIA Pedro Manço Teixeira Honors Thesis Final Draft, Spring 2014 Thesis Advisor: Kyle Keoni Ikeda INTRODUCTION Within Japanese society, suicide has been a recurring cultural and social concern explored extensively in various literary and artistic forms, and has evolved into a serious societal epidemic by the end of the 20 th century. This project investigates contemporary Japan’s suicide epidemic through an analysis of the portrayal of suicide in post-1970s Japanese literature, films, and popular culture media of manga 1 and anime 2, and in comparison to empirical data on suicide in Japan as presented in peer-reviewed psychology articles. In the analysis of these contemporary works, particular attention was given to their targeted demographic, the profiles of the suicide victims in the stories, the justifications for suicide, and the relevance of suicide to the plot of each work.
    [Show full text]
  • Suicide Narratives in Contemporary Japanese Newspapers: an Analysis of Media Inventories
    LUND UNIVERSITY • CENTRE FOR EAST AND SOUTH-EAST ASIAN STUDIES Suicide Narratives in Contemporary Japanese Newspapers: An Analysis of Media Inventories Author: Michael Kleander Supervisor: Ernils Larsson Master’s Programme in Asian Studies Spring semester 2021 ABSTRACT Suicide in Japan has long been a debated topic. In recent decades, the focus has turned towards the media and the Werther effect (copycat suicides), which seemed to spark some arguable Moral Panics throughout the 2000s. In the following decade, suicides have subsequently decreased. As a result of this decrease has been a lack of research focusing on the media and suicide in the 2010s. Drawing on narrative analysis through a Moral Panic framework, this thesis strives to see how newspapers reflect the current suicide situation, and if there were any indications of Moral Panics. The thesis relies on collected data from Asahi and Yomiuri Shimbun, as well as the suicide statistics provided by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. It was discovered that both newspapers focus their reporting on rarer circumstances such as school-related reasons or jumping. Furthermore, a potential Moral Panic was identified in 2012, which was analysed through aforementioned framework. The analysis showed that the central problem constructed in the newspapers was the concealment of bullying instead of the actual suicide. This thesis argues that the newspapers’ inventory was framed toward a Moral Panic. Keywords: Moral Panic, Suicide, Media, Narrative, Newspaper, Japan. II ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to extend my deepest gratitude for everyone that has helped me with this thesis, because every contribution, large or small, has been exceptionally valuable and contributed to the betterment of this work.
    [Show full text]
  • Japaneses Mother-Child Suicide: the Psychological and Sociological Implications of the Kimura Case
    UCLA UCLA Pacific Basin Law Journal Title Japaneses Mother-Child Suicide: The Psychological and Sociological Implications of the Kimura Case Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/9xq9b2r6 Journal UCLA Pacific Basin Law Journal, 8(1) Author Kawanishi, Yuko Publication Date 1990 DOI 10.5070/P881021961 Peer reviewed eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California JAPANESE MOTHER-CHILD SUICIDE: THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE KIMURA CASE Yuko Kawanishi* On the cold and sunny afternoon of January 29, 1985, Fumiko Kimura, a 32-year-old Japanese woman, in despair over her marital problems, decided to kill herself. She walked slowly across the beach in Santa Monica, heading toward the ocean with her two children, a four-year-old son and an infant daughter. Two college students later found them floating in the water, and pulled them out. Only Fumiko survived. She was convicted of voluntary man- slaughter and was ordered to undergo psychiatric treatment.' This incident elicited considerable shock among the general public, and overwhelming sympathy and support for Fumiko Kimura from the local Japanese community. What Fumiko had attempted was oya-ko shinju (joint parent-child suicide), a tradi- tional Japanese form of suicide which is still an everyday occur- rence in Japan. People of Western cultures think that a mother killing her own children is a hideous, unacceptable crime, one that should be punished severely. In Japan, this type of conduct is also greatly deplored. However, when an actual incident occurs, the Japanese public usually shows great sympathy and understanding toward the parent, and does not regard it as a serious crime.
    [Show full text]
  • Extended Essay Cover
    'nlsrTJtsjna^ Sates laureare bcexiiaurtfi'- .‘.'ifemet'c-. •>! Extended essay cover FaohCe aV uter .<‘dor.aI Candidates must complete this page and then give this cover and their finai version of the extended essay to their supervisor. Candidate session number Candidate name School number School name Examination session (May or November) Diploma Programme subject in which this extended essay is registered: (For an extended essay in the area of languages, state the language and whether it is group 1 or group 2.) Title of the extended essay:."Jo..\A etj-. Vltk#'V . A / i .C ld k A a .1 .’f£>Am £,..assA ................... {XtC^yWltd, air SiiCfAf. £y\ hortflyfiH#. Vto-ofobtur* wiHim T5a.par> yV)i ^PtoAeil ftw»a.f tmM iwwnbraWm rk ~\V as a mil,fataj \txcMc. A uttm ¥ # d 4 W f I t - Candidate’s declaration This declaration must be signed by the candidate; otherwise a grade may not be issued. The extended essay I am submitting is my own work (apart from guidance allowed by the International Baccalaureate), I have acknowledged each use of the words, graphics or ideas of another person, whether written, ora! or visual i am aware that the word limit for all extended essays is 4000 words and that examiners are not required to read beyond this limit. This is the finai version of my extended essay. Candidate’s signature:. Supervisor’s report and declaration The supervisor must complete this report, sign the declaration and then give the final version of the extended essay, with this cover attached, to the Diploma Programme coordinator.
    [Show full text]
  • Suicide in South Australia: Specific Features, Trends and Reasons for Disparities in Numbers
    SUICIDE IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: SPECIFIC FEATURES, TRENDS AND REASONS FOR DISPARITIES IN NUMBERS Amy E. Austin B.Hlth.Sc. (Hons) Discipline of Anatomy and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Frome Road and Pathology, Forensic Science SA, 21 Divett Place, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia Thesis submitted to The University of Adelaide in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy May 2015 Table of contents DECLARATION 4 PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS 5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 9 FINANCIAL SUPPORT 9 ABSTRACT 10 ABBREVIATIONS 12 CHAPTER 1: OVERVIEW OF GENERAL POPULATION SUICIDE 13 1.1 INTRODUCTION 13 1.1.1 History of reported victims 14 1.2 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SUICIDE 16 1.2.1 Sex of victims 16 1.2.2 Age of victims 17 1.2.3 Methods of suicide 19 1.3 SUICIDE AMONG FIRST PEOPLES 22 1.3.1 Suicide among Aboriginal people in Australia 22 1.3.2 Suicide among first peoples internationally 23 1.4 CLASSIFICATIONS OF SELF-HARM 24 1.4.1 Murder-suicide 25 1.4.2 Parasuicide 26 1.5 CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO SUICIDE 28 1.5.1 Substance abuse 28 1.5.2 Mental illness 29 1 1.5.3 Other miscellaneous factors 31 1.6 SUICIDE NOTES 32 1.7 CAVEATS 33 1.8 SYNOPSIS 35 i. AIMS 35 ii. HYPOTHESES 36 1.9 REFERENCES 37 CHAPTER 2: AN ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION OF SUICIDE IN SA 52 2.1 INTRODUCTION 52 2.2 MATERIALS AND METHODS 55 2.3 RESULTS 57 2.3.1 Prevalence of suicide in SA 57 2.3.2 Age distribution and methods of suicide in SA 63 2.3.3 Specific characteristics of suicide in SA 66 2.3.4 Specific methods of suicide in SA 68 2.4 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS 82 2.5 REFERENCES 86 CHAPTER 3: PUBLICATIONS FROM SPECIFIC FINDINGS IN MEDICOLEGAL CASES 88 3.1 CONTEXTUAL STATEMENT 88 i.
    [Show full text]
  • Suicide Research and Prevention
    SUICIDE Volume 10 RESEARCH SUICIDERESEARCH: SELECTED READINGS : SELECTED READINGS READINGS SELECTED E. Barker, A. Novic, H. Houweling, S. McPhedran and D. De Leo VOL. 10 VOL. E. Barker, A. Novic, H. Houweling, H. A. Novic, Barker, E. S. McPhedran and D. De Leo S. McPhedran May 2013 — October 2013 Australian Academic Press Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention www.aapbooks.com SUICIDE RESEARCH: SELECTED READINGS Volume 10 May 2013 — October 2013 E. Barker, A. Novic, H. Houweling, S. McPhedran, D. De Leo Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention National Centre of Excellence in Suicide Prevention First published in 2013 Australian Academic Press 18 Victor Russell Drive, Samford QLD 4520, Australia Australia www.australianacademicpress.com.au Copyright for the Introduction and Comments sections is held by the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, 2013. Copyright in all abstracts is retained by the current rights holder. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act, 1968, no part may be reproduced without prior permission from the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention. ISBN: 9781922117236 Book and cover design by Maria Biaggini — The Letter Tree. Contents Foreword ................................................................................................vii Acknowledgments ..............................................................................viii Introduction Context ..................................................................................................1
    [Show full text]