Socioeconomic and spatial differentials in mortality and means of committing suicide in New South Wales, Australia, 1985–1991

Analysis of suicide mortality in New South Wales, Australia is undertaken with reference to marital status and occupational status between 1986–1989/1990 and with reference to the principal means of committing suicide. Not currently married male manual workers were particularly at risk although marital status variations were significant with both genders and at different ages. Between 1985–1991 male suicide mortality rates were significantly higher in inland non-metropolitan regions, especially among younger men, and were higher in inner areas of metropolitan Sydney. While there were no significant variations by marital status in the means of committing suicide there were variations between genders, and there were regional and social class variations in the use of guns with males. The use of guns was a factor in the elevated suicide mortality levels among inland rural youth and men, and among farmers and transport workers while the use of poisons was also significant with these occupational groups. The use of poisons was greater among persons committing suicide in the areas of elevated mortality in inner Sydney and the use of guns much lower.