Trends in suicide among migrants in England and Wales 1979–2003

OBJECTIVE Trends in suicide death rates among migrants to England and Wales 1979-2003 were examined. METHODS Age-standardised rates derived for eight country of birth groups. RESULTS For men born in Jamaica, suicide death rates increased in 1999-2003. There were declines in rates for men and women from India and from Scotland, men from East Africa and Northern Ireland and women from the Republic of Ireland. For both men and women born in Scotland or the Irish Republic, despite declines for some, rates remained higher than for England and Wales born. Rates among men from Pakistan were consistently lower than men born in England and Wales. CONCLUSION These analyses indicate declining trends for most migrant groups and for England and Wales-born women, but adverse trends in death rates for some country of birth groups.