To the Problem of an Institutional Suicide

Abstract

In spite of their relative constancy over time, there are long-term shifts in the suicide rates like drops during wars and increases during periods of economic instability. Switzerland has traditionally a high total suicide rate, and during the last years there has even been a distinct tendency for it to rise: 1959–62: 18.8, 1969–72: 18.3, 1979–80: 25.2. The suicide rates of Canton of Berne exceed those of the whole country and a comparable increase has been registered. At the same time a considerable increase of clinical suicides also has been observed at the Psychiatric University Clinic of Berne.