The Historical Contingency of suicide: A case-based comparison of suicides in New Zealand in the 1930s and 1980s

This paper is a case-based comparison of suicides in New Zealandin the 1930s and 1980s and draws from coronial inquest datacovering almost 3000 suicides. A purpose of the paper is todemonstrate that no single discipline or methodology has amonopoly of understanding of suicide. Each has it limitations andstrengths. All can make a contribution to understanding, includinghistorical enquiry. The latter affords opportunities to consider howeconomic and cultural trends characteristic of eras affected theoutcomes of acute personal crises. In brief, the so-called 'eternal'motivations to suicide - including physical suffering, financialdistress, mental illness, romantic disappointment and socialdisgrace - are mediated through the social milieu of the time.