Firearm suicides in Şanlıurfa

Altındağ, A. (2005) Firearm suicides in Şanlıurfa. Anatolian Journal of Psychiatry (Anadolu Psikiyatri Dergisi), 6 (4). pp. 240-244.

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Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of firearm suicides that occurred from 2001 to 2004 in Şanlıurfa city center. Methods: These statistics were obtained by examining the court files and autopsy reports of the Şanlıurfa Court. Results: Sixty-three people committed suicide between 2001 and 2004 in Sanliurfa city centre. Mean annual suicide rate was 3.7 per 100000. Firearm (39%) was the most common method of suicide for men in Şanlıurfa. In women, however, hanging (44%) was the most common method. Firearm suicides most frequently occurred between the ages of 15 to 24 (n=9, 47%). Conclusion: Şanlıurfa has higher suicide rates than those of Turkey, in general. High firearm suicide ratios may be explained by the ready availability of firearms in Sanliurfa. Adolescents have a higher risk of impulsive behaviors than other age groups and they are more likely to use the means at hand when confronting a crisis. Therefore, this age group has a higher risk of firearm suicides. Legislation restricting firearm purchasing and availability may reduce high suicide rates in Şanlıurfa.

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