Effect of the 2004 tsunami on suicide rates in Sri Lanka

AIMS AND METHOD To investigate the effect of the 2004 tsunami on suicide rates in Sri Lanka. The number of suicides in the 2 years prior to and 1 year after the tsunami were considered for the study. Data from districts affected by the tsunami were compared with those from unaffected districts. RESULTS No significant differences were found between the number of suicides before and following the disaster or between areas affected and unaffected by the tsunami. CLIICAL IMPLICATIONS Worldwise, the impact of disasters upon suicide rates is variable. It is possible that the tsunami failed to have any profound effect on societal forces affecting suicide rates in Sri Lanka.