Suicide among soldiers and young men in the Nordic countries 1977–1984

Abstract

A comparison of suicide rates among soldiers and civilians in the Nordic countries during the 8-year period 1977-1984 revealed that suicides among soldiers were more frequent in Norway than in Sweden and Finland. An in-depth study of the suicides of Norwegian soldiers during the same time period points to selection procedures and distance from home to the soldier's duty camp as possible causal factors. The suicides were frequently precipitated by an acute crisis. Preventive measures are discussed.