SUICIDE is the fifth leading cause of death overall in China and the leading cause of death in persons aged 15-34 years. The national suicide rate is 23 per 100,000 population. An estimated 2 million suicide attempts occur each year, about 287,000 of which result in death.

According to a report based on three studies of attempted suicides in northern China by Beijing Huilongguan Hospital and the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, 58 per cent of China's suicides were caused by ingesting pesticide, 91 per cent of suicide victims had never visited a mental health professional, and 45 per cent of suicide attempts were impulsive acts performed after considering suicide for less than 10 minutes.

As in most other countries, suicide attempts in China are more common among women than men. In China, especially in rural areas, a high proportion of attempted suicides ingest pesticide, and the resuscitating capabilities of local health-care providers are less than optimal. Therefore, self-inflicted injuries are more likely to result in death in rural China than in locations where less lethal suicide methods are used or where resuscitation services are more successful. These factors result in an overall increase in rural suicide rates and a relative increase in female suicide rates.

To reduce suicides and suicide attempts, experts call for prevention strategies to be implemented in China. The first suicide prevention centre was established in Beijing Huilongguan Hospital in November 2003 supported by the government. The centre plans to further expand the network nationwide.

Meanwhile, some non-governmental organizations and quangos (such as the All-China Women's Federation) have taken steps to reduce the high suicide rate among women in rural areas.

The Beijing Rural Women Culture Development Centre led by Wu Qing is one such organization. It has carried out public education and suicide prevention activities in 16 provinces, including Hubei, Hebei and Gansu.

Experts also call for restrictions on access to the means of suicide - particularly pesticides and toxic drugs - expansion of social support networks for persons at high risk, implementation of health-promotion campaigns focused on mental health and suicide and improving health providers' ability to recognize and manage psychiatric problems associated with suicide.

(Star News)