Psychiatric Bulletin (2009) 33: 179-180. doi: 10.1192/pb.bp.108.020743
© 2009 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
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Effect of the 2004 tsunami on suicide rates in Sri Lanka

Asiri Rodrigo, Specialty Doctor in Psychiatry

*Green Parks House, Princess Royal University Hospital, Bromley BR6 8NY, email: asirir2000{at}yahoo.com

Andrew McQuillin, Senior Research Fellow

Department of Mental Health Sciences, University College London Medical School, London

Jonathan Pimm, Consultant Psychiatrist

Department of Mental Health Sciences, University College London Medical School, London

Declaration of interest

None.

AIMS AND METHOD

To investigate the effect of the 2004 tsunami on suicide rates in Sri Lanka. The number of suicides in the 2 years prior to and 1 year after the tsunami were considered for the study. Data from districts affected by the tsunami were compared with those from unaffected districts.

RESULTS

No significant differences were found between the number of suicides before and following the disaster or between areas affected and unaffected by the tsunami.

CLIICAL IMPLICATIONS

Worldwise, the impact of disasters upon suicide rates is variable. It is possible that the tsunami failed to have any profound effect on societal forces affecting suicide rates in Sri Lanka.




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Limitations of the study and related results from other studies
krishna mohan Gangineni
PB Online, 10 Jun 2009 [Full text]