Suicide among adolescents in Greece.

The mean suicide rate among 10-19-year-olds in Greece from 1980 to 1987 was 0.98/100,000 per year (male 1.07, female 0.89). Girls and boys demonstrated the greatest suicide rate at 16 and 19 years, respectively. The combined suicide rate was significantly higher in the rural areas (1.48) than in Athens (0.48) and the other urban areas (0.98). Boys committed suicide more frequently than girls in Athens and other urban areas, whereas girls did so in the rural areas. The suicide rate declined during the last three years of the study. Differences in the methods used and the reported reasons for suicide were observed among the adolescents in Athens, other urban areas, and the rural areas. Greek adolescents appear to be relatively protected from suicide, particularly those who live in the urban areas.