Citation

Laukkala T, Partonen T, Marttunen M, Henriksson M. Nord. J. Psychiatry 2014; 68(4): 270-274.

Affiliation

Tanja Laukkala, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Psychiatrist, Field Medicine Services Unit, Centre for Military Medicine, Finnish Defence Forces , PO Box 50 FI-00301 Helsinki , Finland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.3109/08039488.2013.814709

PMID

23957461

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Suicide mortality in Finland particularly among young people remains high, compared with other European countries. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among military conscripts in Finland. Aims: In this record-based study, we investigated characteristics of all 48 suicides among Finnish conscripts during the period 1991-2007. METHODS: We collected and analyzed healthcare records during military service and medicolegal investigations (medicolegal autopsy) of suicide victims. RESULTS: Of the 48 suicides, 36 (75%) were completed during leave days. Shooting, hanging and jumping were the most common methods used; a service gun was used in four (14%) of the 29 shooting cases. One-third of the victims had been in contact with military healthcare during the week preceding their suicide, and two-thirds during the preceding month. CONCLUSIONS: When conscripts use healthcare services, suicidal thoughts should be actively asked of those conscripts with history of any risk factors for suicidal behavior.

Language: en