[Suicide by medications and other means in one time and repeated suicide attempts in Israel].

BACKGROUND

In recent decades, there is a growing tendency to identify groups with high suicidal risk such as in the case of repeated suicide attempts.

AIM: This study aims to uncover differences in suicide completion rates by different means among single versus repeated suicide attempters.

METHOD: The sample consisted of 1,307 subjects reported to the Ministry of Health in Israel between the years 1972 and 1976. Each case was followed-up retrospectively over a period of 7 to 11 years until 1983.

RESULTS

Overall, 69% attempted suicide by medications and 31% by other means. The most frequent are vein cutting and hanging (7-8% by each), poisons or drugs, jumping, burning and shooting (1-5% in each). The rate of suicide attempts by medications is almost similar at the first and second attempt. However, the suicide rate of repeated suicide attempters by medications is 4.5 times higher than that of single suicide attempters. Single attempters committed suicide especially by shooting, hanging and burning. Discussion of findings relates to the availability and accessibility to different means for committing suicide and the possibility of controlling some of them, especially weapons and medications. Furthermore, broader consideration of the ambivalence towards death among repeated suicide attempters might be useful in treatment programs.