[Suicidal problems in Norway (author's transl)].
The author gibes a review of suicide problems in Norway. The suicide rate has in Norway traditionally been low compared with the other Scandinavian countries, about one third, and has remained so for a century. In the last century the suicide rate increased with increasing age. In this century it has come to a peak in the age groups of 50-69 years for men and 50-59 years for women. There are only small differences in the suicide rate for the different parts of the country, with a slightly higher rate in the most densely populated areas. The ratio male/female is now 3:1, and has changed little. The suicidal methods are discussed, as is also the relation of suicidal acts to alcohol and drug problems. Precipitating factors are discussed, as are also vulnerable groups, among them the sailors, where the suicidal rate is about three times higher than of the average population of the same age and sex. Norwegian follow-up studies on the future fate of suicide attempters are mentioned. Finally, the author gives an outline of the present state of suicidology in Norway.