Suicide in Three Ethnic Groups in Huhhot, Inner Mongolia

Suicide was examined in three ethnic groups in Huhhot, Inner Mongolia, for the period 1986-1991. The influence of the different cultures on suicide was studied. The Han have the most tolerant views toward suicide and were found also to have the highest suicide rate. The Hui follow Islam, which condemns suicide, and were found to have the lowest suicide rate. The Meng expect to suffer in life and are thus not prone to suicide, though as they move to the cities and become more educated, they tend to adopt Han cultural values so that their suicide rate is now moderately high.