The rise of suicide mortality in Belgium between 1968-72 and 1978-81: age, sex and geographical characteristics.

Using directly and indirectly standardized mortality indexes in selected sex- and age groups, this paper analyses the age and sex characteristics and the geographical distribution among the 43 Belgian districts of the striking increase in Belgian reported suicide mortality between 1968-72 and 1979-81. Suicide mortality is obviously increasing more in females and in younger age groups, although the increase is still considerable in older age groups. The geographical pattern of generally higher mortality in central and southern districts seem consistent over time and between sexes but differences grow smaller over time, especially in females. A particular epidemiological situation for younger age groups is further suggested by our data.