TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2016//
TI  - Are elite cricketers more prone to suicide? A psychological autopsy study of Test cricketer suicides
JO  - Australasian psychiatry
A1  - Shah, Ajit
A1  - Sava-Shah, Shrenik
A1  - Wijeratne, Chanaka
A1  - Draper, Brian
SP  - 295
EP  - 299
VL  - 24
IS  - 3
N2  - OBJECTIVES: It has been hypothesised that the very nature of the game predisposes elite cricketers to higher rates of suicide. <br><br>AIM: We aim to estimate the suicide rate of male Test cricketers and to determine the reasons for suicide. <br><br>METHODS: The suicide rate in male Test cricketers was determined. A psychological autopsy was conducted using published biographical data. <br><br>RESULTS: Twenty suicides amongst 2794 male Test cricketers from 1877 to 2014 yielded a suicide rate of 715.4 per 100,000 for that period. Health, financial and relationship issues were prominent; depression and alcohol misuse were common. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Most suicides in Test cricketers occurred post-retirement in mid to late life with similar correlates to those found in the general male population. The idiosyncrasies of cricket are unlikely to contribute to suicide; however, the post-retirement welfare of Test cricketers should remain a focus of concern and the greater supports available to contemporary Test cricketers needs to extend beyond retirement.<br><br>© The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists 2016.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1039-8562
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1039856216641311
ID  - ref1
ER  -