ESTUDOS SÔBRE A MORTALIDADE POR SUICÍDIO. I - Discussão sôbre seu valor como indicador do nível de saúde mental. II. A mortalidade por suicídio no Município de São Paulo

Abstract

The utilization of the suicide mortality rate as a possible preliminary indicator of the community mental health conditions, was studied. This was made after discussing the problems related to the measurement of mental health levei. Thc general aspects of suicide as a publk health problem were analysed in differents regions of the world, including the City of São Paulo. The trends of mortality from suicide were studied in São Paulo, from 1894 to 1962. Finally was made a study of th.e subject in detail from t 948 to 1962, namely by ali causes ( E-970 to E-979) and ais o by the five ma in exogenous causes ( E-971, E-974, E-976, E-978 and E-979) by sex, colour and age groups in the City of São Paulo.