The Significance of Suicide Notes

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Abstract
Studying the contents of suicide notes might help to improve the understanding of individual cases whilst offering an opportunity to search for possible preventive guidelines. In a study in an Australian capital city, suicides for one year (1972-73) were investigated including the medical and psychiatric data where possible, and psychosocial circumstances in each case. The total number of suicides in the year was 135. Twenty-seven individuals left suicide notes of which 25 were available for examination. The mood as reflected in the notes was categorised in terms of depression and hopelessness, neutral affect and hostility. The affect was related to age, sex, marital status and method of suicide. The results are presented with examples of each category and are discussed with respect to their contribution to (i) understanding the cause of death, (ii) understanding the intention of the suicide, (iii) assisting the relatives in coping with the suicide, (iv) drawing attention to those factors where earlier intervention may have averted suicide.

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