Facts and Figures about Suicides and Suicide Attempts in Denmark

Facts and figures about suicides

• 727 persons committed suicide in Denmark in 2001, 220 females and 507 males (source: the National Board of Health, 2001)
• On average, two Danes commit suicide every day
• Every time one female commits suicide, two males take their own life
• On average, five persons are seriously affected every time one suicide is committed (family and friends)
• The most frequent suicide method among men is hanging and among women poisoning
• Most suicides happen in the month of April
• Monday is the day of the week where most suicides happen
• The number of suicides is halved from 1980 to 2001
• On a yearly basis, approx. 30 per cent more Danes die because of suicide than those killed in traffic
• The suicide rate is highest among elderly people.
• Suicide is no longer distinctly connected with urban living

Facts and figures about suicide attempts

• Every day, about 20 persons attempt suicide, and 2 persons die from it
• The time of the day, when most persons attempt suicide, is between 8.00 p.m. and 00.00 a.m.
• The most frequent suicide attempt method is poisoning for both males and females
• The number of suicide attempts is approximately 30 per cent higher than the number of people who attempts suicide. This means that some persons repeat their suicide attempt, sometimes more than once
• The risk for a repeated suicide attempt is at its highest within the first year of the attempt
• A suicide attempt is a serious risk factor for a future suicide
• From 1990 to 1999, the number of people who attempt suicide has been declining for persons more than 15 years of age. Again in 2000 and 2001 there has been an increase
• With regard to females, it is especially among the 15-19 age group where a significant increase has been seen. Yet, it is worth noticing that in the years up to 2003 there has also been an increase among the 20-29 age group. With regard to males, the same increase has not been seen within certain age groups
• In 2001 the difference between men and women's suicide attempts was in the scale 10:14. This means that every time 10 men attempted suicide 14 women did

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