BACKGROUND: Suicide rates vary by occupation but this relationship has not been frequently studied. AIMS: To identify the occupations with significantly high suicide rates in England and Wales in 2001-2005 and to compare these with rates from previous decades. METHOD: Mortality data from death registrations in England and Wales over the calendar years 2001-2005 were used to calculate proportional mortality ratios (PMRs) and standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) for both men and women aged 20-64 years by their occupation. RESULTS: Among men, in 2001-2005, construction workers, and plant and machine operatives had the greatest number of suicides. The highest PMRs were for health professionals (PMR=164) and agricultural workers (PMR=133). Among women, administrative and secretarial workers had the greatest number of suicides yet the highest PMRs were found for health (PMR=232), and sport and fitness (PMR=244) occupations. CONCLUSIONS: Excess mortality from suicide remains in some occupational groups. The apparent changes in suicide patterns merits further exploration, for example examining the prevalence of depression and suicidal ideation in medical practitioners, dentists, veterinarians, agricultural workers, librarians and construction workers.
BACKGROUND: Suicide rates vary by occupation but this relationship has not been frequently studied. AIMS: To identify the occupations with significantly high suicide rates in England and Wales in 2001-2005 and to compare these with rates from previous decades. METHOD: Mortality data from death registrations in England and Wales over the calendar years 2001-2005 were used to calculate proportional mortality ratios (PMRs) and standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) for both men and women aged 20-64 years by their occupation. RESULTS: Among men, in 2001-2005, construction workers, and plant and machine operatives had the greatest number of suicides. The highest PMRs were for health professionals (PMR=164) and agricultural workers (PMR=133). Among women, administrative and secretarial workers had the greatest number of suicides yet the highest PMRs were found for health (PMR=232), and sport and fitness (PMR=244) occupations. CONCLUSIONS: Excess mortality from suicide remains in some occupational groups. The apparent changes in suicide patterns merits further exploration, for example examining the prevalence of depression and suicidal ideation in medical practitioners, dentists, veterinarians, agricultural workers, librarians and construction workers.
Authors: Phillip M Kleespies; Kimberly A Van Orden; Bruce Bongar; Diane Bridgeman; Lynn F Bufka; Daniel I Galper; Marc Hillbrand; Robert I Yufit Journal: Prof Psychol Res Pr Date: 2011-06-01
Authors: J S Boschman; H F van der Molen; M H W Frings-Dresen; J K Sluiter Journal: Int Arch Occup Environ Health Date: 2012-12-20 Impact factor: 3.015
Authors: Helen D Robertson; Alison M Elliott; Christopher Burton; Lisa Iversen; Peter Murchie; Terry Porteous; Catriona Matheson Journal: Br J Gen Pract Date: 2016-05-09 Impact factor: 5.386