Suicide in Slovenia Between 1997 and 2010

Abstract

Background: With an average suicide rate of approximately 30 per 100,000, Slovenia has been regarded as a country with a high suicide rate. In the last decade, however, the suicide rate has gradually decreased to 20.3 per 100,000. Aim: To undertake an analysis of the suicide rate and its characteristics between 1997 and 2010 and to establish whether preventive activities had a significant effect on the suicide rate in the period studied. Method: Data on all 7,317 completed suicides between 1997 and 2010 were obtained from the National Mortality Database. Trends over this period were assessed separately for gender, age, method of suicide, and regional distribution. Data on implemented suicide preventive activities were assessed via regional Public Health Institutes. Results: The suicide rate declined in both genders and in all age groups, except in males aged 10–19 years. The most frequently used method in both genders was hanging. Regions with the highest suicide rate are concentrated in the eastern part of Slovenia. The suicide rate significantly decreased in six regions, but no firm association with preventive activities could be established. Conclusion: Suicide in Slovenia declined significantly during the study period. Preventive activities appear not to have had any notable effect on this decline.