Background: Information on suicide in ethnic and immigrant groups in England and Wales is limited.
Method: A three-year (1991-1993) survey was conducted of all unnatural deaths of residents of an urban area. 'True likely' and 'official' age-adjusted suicide rates were compared by ethnicity and, for Whites, birthplace.
Results: Irrespective of verdict, 329 likely suicides were identified. Relatively few ethnic minority and White immigrant suicides had received a suicide verdict. Afro-Caribbeans had relatively low, and young Indian women relatively high suicide rates. Rates of Scottish- and Irish-born residents were 2.1 to 2.9 times higher than the local base rate. Young White males' rates were higher than those of the elderly.
Conclusions: Classification of suicide is biased with respect to ethnicity and national origin. Rate patterns for ethnic minority groups reflect patterns seen in attempted suicide. In this deprived area, young White male suicide rates have surpassed those among the old.