Where Do Suicides Take Place? Factors Associated With Choice of Suicide Location

Background: The issue of where suicides take place has rarely been studied. Aims: To examine the distribution of suicide locations and which factors may influence this choice. Method: Data were obtained from the Tyrol Suicide Register. In total, 3,257 suicides were included. Suicide sites were categorized according to proximity to community of residence (COR), actual place of suicide, and potential visibility. Results: About three quarters of suicides occurred in the COR and nearly half in the person’s own apartment/house or adjoining places. In the case of 1/3 of suicides, it was considered possible that the suicide could have been observed. Higher age was associated with suicide in the COR. There were associations of the actual place of suicide with gender, age, living situation, period, season, and daytime. Similar associations were found for potential visibility. There was a temporal trend from tracks/bodies of water/public spaces at the beginning of the study to own apartment/house and toward less possibility of suicides to be observed in the last decade. Limitations: Lacking data due to post hoc data processing. Conclusion: Locations chosen for suicide vary significantly in a number of variables. In a considerable number of cases, suicides may have been observed what offers perspectives for suicide prevention.