The British Journal of Psychiatry 175: 263-270 (1999)
© 1999 The Royal College of Psychiatrists

Suicide and unemployment in young people. Analysis of trends in England and Wales, 1921-1995

D Gunnell, A Lopatatzidis, D Dorling, H Wehner, H Southall and S Frankel
Department of Social Medicine, University of Bristol. D.J.Gunnell@Bristol.ac.uk

BACKGROUND: The influence of the macro-economic climate on suicide is unclear. During the recent recession, rates have increased in young males but declined in females. AIMS: To investigate associations between unemployment and suicide in 15- to 44-year-old men and women over a period spanning two major economic recessions (1921-1995). To minimise confounding by changes in method availability, analyses are restricted to suicides using methods other than poisons and gases. METHOD: Time-series analysis using routine mortality and unemployment data. RESULTS: There were significant associations between unemployment and suicide in both males and females. Associations were generally stronger at younger ages. CONCLUSIONS: Secular trends in youth suicide may be influenced by unemployment or other factors associated with changes in the macro-economic climate. These factors appear to affect women to the same extent as men. Although it is not possible to draw firm aetiological conclusions from time-trend data, our findings are in keeping with those of person-based studies.

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