Suicide among social workers in Rhode Island.

Cause-specific mortality patterns, by occupation, were examined among Rhode Island residents who died during the period 1968-1978, using the age-standardized proportionate mortality ratio (PMR) method. Occupation was determined from the usual occupation statement on the death certificate. A noteworthy finding was an elevated PMR for suicide among both male (PMR = 470, observed deaths = 5, P less than .01) and female (PMR = 510, observed deaths = 4, P less than .05) social workers. This is the first report of a high risk of suicide among social workers. Stress, which is associated with social work, may be a risk factor. Due to the relatively small numbers upon which this report is based and the limitations of death certificate data and the PMR method, this should be viewed as an exploratory investigation requiring further follow-up.