The effect of the September 11 terrorist attacks on suicide and deliberate self-harm: a time trend study

Suicide Life Threat Behav. 2004 Winter;34(4):439-47. doi: 10.1521/suli.34.4.439.53744.

Abstract

Suicide rates may be affected by world news. Our objective was to investigate the possible impact of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, on suicidal behavior in the Netherlands. There was evidence of an increase in rates of suicide and deliberate self-harm in the weeks immediately following the attacks. These findings contrast with Durkheim's (1897) original suggestion that suicide rates decline in times of war and outside threat but are in line with findings of increases in suicidal behavior after media coverage of lethal violence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Catchment Area, Health
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Netherlands / epidemiology
  • Self-Injurious Behavior / epidemiology*
  • September 11 Terrorist Attacks / psychology*
  • Sex Distribution
  • Suicide / statistics & numerical data*
  • Time Factors
  • Violence / statistics & numerical data