Suicide in Cape Town--is the challenge being met effectively?

This cross-sectional descriptive study of 161 suicide inquests in the Cape Town area during 1983 and 1984 includes demographic characteristics of the study population and factors assumed to have had a determining influence on the act of suicide. The most striking finding was a much higher suicide rate among whites (14/100,000) than among coloureds (3/100,000) or blacks (0.7/100,000). Possible reasons for this are discussed. Disparity in the availability or utilisation of psychiatric help by different ethnic groups is highlighted, as well as the fact that many of those who receive help are not dissuaded from suicide.