Why Do People Choose Charcoal Burning as a Method of Suicide? An Interview Based Study of Survivors in Taiwan

Background: Marked increases in the incidence of charcoal burning suicide have contributed to Taiwans rising suicide rate in the past decade. To assess possible opportunities for intervention, we have compared survivors of suicide attempts by charcoal burning with people who ingested poisons. Methods: We interviewed a consecutive series of suicide attempters by charcoal burning n=37 and self- poisoning n=38 admitted to Taipei Veterans General Hospital TVGH between January 2009 and March 2010. Interviews included the Structured Clinical Interview of DSMIV SCID and Beck Suicide Intent Scale. Results: Compared to people who ingested medicines/poisons, charcoal burning suicide attempters were less likely to have a pre- existing physical illness or contact with psychiatric services prior to the attempt and more likely to be employed. Charcoal burning suicide attempters had higher levels of suicide intent mean score 20.1 compared to people ingesting poisons mean score 13.5 p