Methods of committing suicide among 2,347 people in Ohio.

ABSTRACT

The present study explored gender differences in suicidal methods, aiming to identify ways to improve our identification of individuals at risk for suicide. Preferred suicide methods vary by demographics; however, method-specific risk factors have not been consistently identified. All suicidal deaths (N=2,347) in a large urban county were identified over a 15-year period (1994-2008). The majority of men used shooting and hanging. In contrast, women relied on a variety of methods, including self-poisoning, shooting, hanging, and carbon monoxide poisoning. Significant demographic differences are evident among individuals who die by shooting and self-poisoning.