Are immigrants responsible for the recent decline in Australian suicide rates?

ABSTRACT

AIMS: This study aims to examine Queensland suicide trends in the Australian-born population and in the overseas-born populations over the past 2 decades. METHODS: All suicide cases for the period 1991-2009 were identified in the Queensland Suicide Register. Age-standardised suicide rates were calculated. Joinpoint regression and Poisson regression were applied. RESULTS: A significant decline in suicide rates of young (15-44 years) overseas-born males was reported over the past 2 decades. Australian-born young males showed significant increase until 1996, followed by a significant decline; furthermore, their suicide rates were significantly higher when compared to overseas-born (RR = 1.36, 95%CI 1.15; 1.62). Contrary older Australian-born males (45+ years) had significantly lower suicide rates than overseas-born males (RR = 0.90, 95%CI 0.83; 0.98). Despite the convergence of the suicide trends for older males, changes were not significant. While Australian-born females had a significant increase in suicides, overseas-born females had a decline in 1991-2009. CONCLUSION: Significantly declining suicide rates of migrants have contributed to the declining in suicide trends in Queensland. Potential reasons for significantly lower suicide rates among young migrants might include the change in the nature of migration from involuntary to voluntary.