Citation

Gripshover MM, Bell TL. Bulletin of the Illinois Geographical Society 2006; 48(2): 1-38.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The lowered suicide rate in the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire was not a fluke of time and circumstance in Chicago. The suicide rate is examined after two catastrophic events, the Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906 and the recent disaster in New Orleans caused by Hurricane Katrina. It was found that the rate was much reduced from the rates occurring before the catastrophic events. As such, it is concluded that the work the people are doing are the things that keep their minds off their troubles. In the case of Hurricane Katrina, it is too early to draw conclusions regarding storm victims and suicides. The only sure thing is, suicide is a delayed reaction to a catastrophic event. It is important that mental health professionals stay in these catastrophic areas to help victims to get back to their feet again.

Language: en

Keywords

United States; North America; Illinois; mental health; suicide; Chicago; catastrophic event; Hurricane Katrina 2005; Louisiana; mass media; New Orleans; San Francisco earthquake 1906