Alkohol suitsiidi riskitegurina

Abstract

The paper gives an overview of the studies performed by the Estonian-Swedish Mental Health and Suicidology Institute concerning the sharp decrease of suicide rates (decrease 32% for males and 19% for females) associated with the strict anti-alcohol campaign in the USSR during 1985-1989. Studies on the aggregate level tested by studies on individual level have shown that alcohol misuse (alcohol dependence and abuse) and acute alcohol intoxication were important suicide risk factors. The group most affected by alcohol and suicide were males in working age. It could be concluded that restrictive alcohol policy could help to prevent suicides and other external causes of deaths. Stemming from our research we consider that strict alcohol policy in prevention of suicides gives the best effect among young males.