Citation

Staehr MA, Munk-Andersen E. Ugeskr. Laeger 2006; 168(17): 1650-1653.

Vernacular Title

Selvmord og selvmordsadfaerd blandt asylansogere i Danmark i perioden 2001-2003.

Affiliation

Dansk Rode Kors Asylafdelingen, Social- og sundhedssektionen, Kobenhavn.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Den Alm Danske Laegerforening)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16674877

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Our aim was to examine suicidal behaviours among asylum seekers in Denmark. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective quantitative analysis of data from reports to the Danish Red Cross Asylum Department on suicidal behaviours among persons over 15 years of age in the period 2001-2003 and from 54 medical records of suicidal asylum seekers in Denmark in 2001 was carried out. RESULTS: The number of suicide attempts by asylum seekers in 2001 was 3.4 times higher than by Danish residents. Furthermore, the rate of suicide attempts by asylum seekers grew in the following two years. Suicidal behaviours are most frequent among asylum seekers between 30 and 39 years of age. There are national differences. The preferred method of suicide attempt is intake of medicine. Stress-related diagnoses constitute three fourths of all diagnoses. One analysis suggests that the long waiting time (average 20.8 months) faced by asylum seekers combined with rejection of asylum cases may trigger a rapid suicidal reaction. Other factors may also be active, as 44% of suicide attempts occur within six months after arrival in the country. DISCUSSION: The results are discussed in relation to other research on the vulnerability of refugees, immigrants and asylum seekers and also in relation to length of waiting time, growing mental morbidity and the increasing number of rejections of asylum applications during recent years, a period characterized by a reduction of staff at the asylum centers. It is recommended that prevention of suicidal behaviour shall be given higher legal and administrative priority.

Language: da