... varying European countries to compare the suicide rate, Durkheim referred to these statistics as 'Social Facts'. He found consistency in the suicide rate in particular societies in particular times, thus making him sure that the statistics could be used as strong evidence in which to find trends and patterns. Durkheim himself said "The suicide rate is therefore a factual order, unified and definite, as is shown by both its permanence and it's variability". The trends that Durkheim found in these statitics and social facts were such as that religion had an influence on the suicide rate, for instance he found that suicide was more common in Protestant countries in Europe and that Jews were even less prone to suicide than Catholics. Also the statistics showed that the suicide rate dropped in times of war or political upheaval, For example, the suicide rate dropped 14 percent after war broke out between ...

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