Sucide of people with mental disorders in war and peace circumstances

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze suicide of mental ill during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina and peace circumstances.

The data about committed suicide were taken out of the registration of suicide Police Department in Tuzla Canton.

In the pre-war period the total number of committed suicide was 439 and 50.8% of them were people with mental disorders. During the war committed were 174 suicides, and 35.1% of them were persons with mental disorders. In the post-war period committed were 320 suicides, and 34.7% of them were persons with mental disorders. The average age of people who committed suicide in the pre-war period was 45±2.5 years, while in the war and post-war period suicide rates increased in youths. The leading method of committing suicide in war and peace circumstances was by hanging, but significantly more (P<0.05) in the pre-war period. Suicide by fire arms and hand bombs were significantly higher in war circumstances and post-war period (P<0.001). In peace and war circumstances between those who committed suicide were significantly more addicted to alcohol (P<0.05). The number of those who committed suicide and were schizophrenic was higher in war circumstances, but not significantly. In war and post-war period was a higher number of suicide committed by people with acute psychotic disorders (P<0.001) and a significantly higher number of those who committed suicide and suffered form depressive disorders (P<0.05).

In war circumstances a higher number suicide was committed by people with acute psychotic disorders, young-aged and by fire arms.