Suicide attempts and suicides in India: cross-cultural aspects.

Like everywhere else in the world suicide attempts in India have been increasing progressively. However, certain observations are diametrically opposite to those for the West. Males tend to predominate among attempters. The commonest agents used are organophosphates and other household poisons. More violent means for committing suicide are hanging, burning and drowning. More suicide attempters come from joint families. Only 5-10% of the male attempters are under the influence of alcohol at the time of attempt. None of the studies has reported alcohol intoxication among female attempters. Traditionally, Hindu religion has given sanction to certain altruistic suicides.