This study of suicide in South Australia is part of a wider investigation of suicide in Australia generally - and of the international problem of self destruction. It provides an historical perspective of suicide in South Australia from the early years of settlement. It outlines the law as it relates to suicide and attempted suicide. It examines South Australia's suicide rate in comparison to rates experienced nationally and internationally. It outlines the relationships between suicide, alcohol, violence and aggression. It also provides findings on the spatial distribution of suicide.
This study was conducted with the cooperation of the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the authors wish to acknowledge the generous assistance provided by officers of the Department of the Attorney-General of South Australia in supporting this inquiry. They are indebted to the Crown Law Section which gave direct help in the assembling of the case material which is used in this study.