The number of self-inflicted deaths among prisoners rose in 2002 to 94, a rise of 29 per cent over 2001 (73). This was despite a three-year strategy to reduce the number of suicides, begun in 2000.
Source: Press release 31.12.02, Home Office (0870 000 1585)
Links: Howard League press release
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/3, Digest 123, paragraph 6.2
Date: 2002-Dec
The risk of suicide for people with a history of attempted suicide or deliberate self-harm ('parasuicide') persisted without decline for two decades, a study found.
Source: Gary Jenkins, 'Suicide rate 22years after parasuicide: cohort study', British Medical Journal 16.11.02
Links: Article
Date: 2002-Nov
Deliberate self harm is common in adolescents, especially females, said researchers who surveyed over 6,000 pupils aged 15 and 16 from 41 schools in England.
Source: Keith Hawton, Karen Rodham, Emma Evans and Rosamund Weatherall, 'Deliberate self harm in adolescents: self report survey in schools in England', British Medical Journal 23.11.02
Links: Article
Date: 2002-Nov
The government launched England's first ever national suicide prevention strategy, aimed at helping to meet the target of reducing the number of suicides by at least a fifth between 1999 and 2010.
Source: National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Strategy Document (pdf) | Press release | 1999 White Paper
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124, paragraph 2.7
Date: 2002-Sep
More than fifty people kill themselves every year shortly after leaving prison, research found.
Source: C. McCarthy, Suicide and Self-harm Prevention, Howard League for Penal Reform (020 7249 7373)
Links: None
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/3, Digest 123 (paragraph 6.2)
Date: 2002-May