Citation

Yonekawa C, Nakae H, Tajimi K, Motohashi Y, Asari Y, Endo S, Perez Barrero SA. Jpn. Med. Assn. J. JMAJ 2006; 49(11-12): 345-350.

Affiliation

Internal Medicine Department, Municipal Ugo Hospital, Ugo-machi, Akita 012-1131, Japan

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Japan Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A survey was conducted on the 2,556 patients who attempted suicide and were transported via ambulance during the period from 2003 to 2004 in 3 prefectures in the northern Tohoku area. The mean age of the patients was 47.2 (plus or minus) 19.1 years (49.3 (plus or minus) 17.8 for males and 44.8(plus or minus)20.3 for females). The most common method of suicide was by hanging (261 cases in Akita, 229 in Aomori, and 312 in Iwate), followed by overdosing and self harm by means of cutting or stabbing. Depression was the most common underlying mental disorder (116 cases in Akita, 95 in Aomori, and 91 in Iwate), followed by schizophrenia, neurosis, and psychogenic reaction. The method of suicide resulting in the highest death rate was by hanging (74.9% in Akita, 68.8% in Aomori, and 68.8% in Iwate). Public education and other actions in society at large are essential for the prevention of suicide. Considering the need for detecting a depressive state foreboding suicide attempts and also for preventing repeated attempts, both psychiatrists and primary physicians in the community should be proactively involved in the issue of suicide.