Suicides in the Bernese mountains

Abstract: Introduction: Jumping/falling from high structures is a common form of suicide. Mostly, these suicides occur on artificial structures. However, there are also natural formations which are used for committing suicide. It was the aim of this study to investigate the use of mountains and othe...

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Main Authors: Elena Schoch, Christian Mikutta, Eva Allenbach, Joel Notz, Thomas J. Müller, Christian Jackowski, Corinna Ariane Schön
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hogrefe AG 2024-11-01
Series:Sports Psychiatry
Subjects:
Online Access:https://econtent.hogrefe.com/doi/10.1024/2674-0052/a000097
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author Elena Schoch
Christian Mikutta
Eva Allenbach
Joel Notz
Thomas J. Müller
Christian Jackowski
Corinna Ariane Schön
author_facet Elena Schoch
Christian Mikutta
Eva Allenbach
Joel Notz
Thomas J. Müller
Christian Jackowski
Corinna Ariane Schön
author_sort Elena Schoch
collection DOAJ
description Abstract: Introduction: Jumping/falling from high structures is a common form of suicide. Mostly, these suicides occur on artificial structures. However, there are also natural formations which are used for committing suicide. It was the aim of this study to investigate the use of mountains and other natural rock formations for the means of suicide. Methods: The files of the investigations of mountain deaths from 2002 to 2016 commissioned by the public prosecutor’s office of the canton of Bern, Switzerland, or carried out by the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Bern itself, were evaluated retrospectively regarding the existence of suicides within alpine environment. Results: 20 cases were analyzed concerning various parameters such as method, age, gender and mental diagnoses. A mountain suicide occurred with a ratio of 1 to 69. The gender difference was more pronounced with 80% being male victims. Discussion: Suicide is rare in the mountains. Jumping/falling from heights was the most common manner of suicide. Most of those affected were male and a significant proportion had a psychiatric diagnosis.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2674-0052
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series Sports Psychiatry
spelling doaj-art-d9992d2068e041f4aa5fd37c192b37842024-11-20T13:38:01ZengHogrefe AGSports Psychiatry2674-00522024-11-013418118610.1024/2674-0052/a000097Suicides in the Bernese mountainsElena Schoch0Christian Mikutta1Eva Allenbach2Joel Notz3Thomas J. Müller4Christian Jackowski5Corinna Ariane Schön6Private Clinic Meiringen, SwitzerlandPrivate Clinic Meiringen, SwitzerlandPrivate Clinic Meiringen, SwitzerlandInstitute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, SwitzerlandPrivate Clinic Meiringen, SwitzerlandInstitute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, SwitzerlandInstitute of Forensic Medicine, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, SwitzerlandAbstract: Introduction: Jumping/falling from high structures is a common form of suicide. Mostly, these suicides occur on artificial structures. However, there are also natural formations which are used for committing suicide. It was the aim of this study to investigate the use of mountains and other natural rock formations for the means of suicide. Methods: The files of the investigations of mountain deaths from 2002 to 2016 commissioned by the public prosecutor’s office of the canton of Bern, Switzerland, or carried out by the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Bern itself, were evaluated retrospectively regarding the existence of suicides within alpine environment. Results: 20 cases were analyzed concerning various parameters such as method, age, gender and mental diagnoses. A mountain suicide occurred with a ratio of 1 to 69. The gender difference was more pronounced with 80% being male victims. Discussion: Suicide is rare in the mountains. Jumping/falling from heights was the most common manner of suicide. Most of those affected were male and a significant proportion had a psychiatric diagnosis.https://econtent.hogrefe.com/doi/10.1024/2674-0052/a000097suicidejumpingfall from heightmountain
spellingShingle Elena Schoch
Christian Mikutta
Eva Allenbach
Joel Notz
Thomas J. Müller
Christian Jackowski
Corinna Ariane Schön
Suicides in the Bernese mountains
Sports Psychiatry
suicide
jumping
fall from height
mountain
title Suicides in the Bernese mountains
title_full Suicides in the Bernese mountains
title_fullStr Suicides in the Bernese mountains
title_full_unstemmed Suicides in the Bernese mountains
title_short Suicides in the Bernese mountains
title_sort suicides in the bernese mountains
topic suicide
jumping
fall from height
mountain
url https://econtent.hogrefe.com/doi/10.1024/2674-0052/a000097
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AT christianmikutta suicidesinthebernesemountains
AT evaallenbach suicidesinthebernesemountains
AT joelnotz suicidesinthebernesemountains
AT thomasjmuller suicidesinthebernesemountains
AT christianjackowski suicidesinthebernesemountains
AT corinnaarianeschon suicidesinthebernesemountains