Reduced completed suicide rate in Hungary from 1990 to 2001: relation to suicide methods.

BACKGROUND AND METHOD: Changes in the rate of completed suicides and in the suicide methods used in Hungary between 1990 and 2001 were evaluated using the database of the Hungarian Central Statistical Office. RESULTS: During this period of time, the suicidal mortality rate decreased by 27.9%. A major part (62%) of this decrease was due to the less frequent use of poisonous substances and drug overdose, particularly of psychotropics. CONCLUSION: Beside the more widespread treatment of depression and other mental disorders, the improved safety of pharmacotherapy and the removal of the most toxic pesticides and chemicals from everyday use might have contributed to the reduction of the suicide rate in Hungary.