A literature review examined risk and protective factors for suicide and suicidal behaviour.
Source: Joanne McLean, Margaret Maxwell, Stephen Platt, Fiona Harris and Ruth Jepson, Risk and Protective Factors for Suicide and Suicidal Behaviour: A literature review, Scottish Government (web publication only)
Date: 2008-Dec
A report said that people who self-harmed included men and women, young and old people; and that the behaviour might not be related to suicide in the way in which many people thought. Far from being a method of seeking attention, self-harm was generally hidden, often out of fear over the impact on family and friends, or because of a lack of understanding.
Source: Outi Horne and Sarah Paul, Understanding Self Harm, Sane (020 7375 1002)
Links: Report | Sane press release | BBC report
Date: 2008-Dec
An article examined trends in suicides among young people. The suicide rate for young people aged 10-19 appeared to fall between 1997 and 2003. The fall might have been related to socio-economic or clinical factors. The rate of contact with services was low compared to adults, particularly in males: this was concerning because young males had the highest suicide rate in the United Kingdom. Suicide prevention in young people was likely to require a multi-agency approach.
Source: Kirsten Windfuhr et al., 'Suicide in juveniles and adolescents in the United Kingdom', Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, Volume 49 Issue 11
Links: Abstract | Manchester University press release
Date: 2008-Nov
The Welsh Assembly Government published a strategy for preventing suicides.
Source: A National Action Plan to Reduce Suicide and Self-Harm in Wales 2008-2013, Welsh Assembly Government (029 2082 5111)
Links: Strategy | NHS Wales press release | Turning Point press release | Samaritans press release | BBC report | Community Care report
Date: 2008-Nov
An article mapped the incidence of suicide in England and Wales between 1988 and 1994. Although the geography of suicide differed across age/sex groups, some common patterns emerged – for example, high rates in central parts of cities, and in remote and coastal areas. Some features were common to all, while others appeared male-specific or specific to the younger age group.
Source: Nicos Middleton, Jonathan Sterne and David Gunnell, 'An atlas of suicide mortality: England and Wales, 1988-1994', Health and Place, Volume 14 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2008-Sep
A report said that the suicide rate in England had continued to fall, and was at a record low. The three-year average was 8.3 suicides per 100,000 population in 2004-2006, down from 8.5 in the previous three years.
Source: National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England: Annual Report 2007, National Institute for Mental Health in England/National Health Service (0113 254 5000)
Links: Report | BBC report | Telegraph report
Date: 2008-Aug
A report examined cases in Scotland of suicide and homicide by people with mental illness. It made recommendations designed to strengthen training and services for the management of drug and alcohol misuse, including a focus on 'dual diagnosis' patients; and to improve outreach services for patients at risk of losing contact with care.
Source: National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness, Lessons for Mental Health Care in Scotland, Centre for Suicide Prevention/University of Manchester (0161 275 0700)
Links: Report | Summary | Manchester University press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2008-Jun
Campaigners said that incidents of self-injury in prison had risen from 16,393 in 2003 to 22,459 in 2007 – a rise of nearly 40 per cent.
Source: Registered Self Injury Incidents by Prison 2003-2007, Howard League for Penal Reform (020 7249 7373)
Links: Report | HLPR press release | Guardian report | BBC report | Community Care report
Date: 2008-Apr
A joint inspectorate report said that probation hostel staff in England were failing vulnerable residents at risk of suicide or self-harm. Suicide prevention procedures needed 'urgent improvement' in every hostel visited.
Source: Probation Hostels: Control, Help and Change?, HM Chief Inspector of Probation (020 7035 2203), HMI Prisons and HMI Constabulary
Links: Report | Community Care report
Date: 2008-Apr
An article examined trends in suicide by marital status in England and Wales. Married people had a lower risk of suicide, and despite an overall reduction in suicide rates since the early 1980s, there had been no narrowing of the gap in suicide rates between those who were married and those who were single (never married) or divorced.
Source: Clare Griffiths, Gita Ladva, Anita Brock and Allan Baker, 'Trends in suicide by marital status in England and Wales, 1982-2005', Health Statistics Quarterly 37, Spring 2008, Office for National Statistics, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Article | ONS press release
Date: 2008-Feb
A new guidebook contained advice on the reporting of issues related to mental health and suicide. It suggested ways to avoid causing needless offence to readers and viewers affected by mental health problems, and at the same time improve public understanding.
Source: What's the Story? Reporting mental health and suicide, Shift/Care Services Improvement Partnership (0845 223 5447)
Links: Report | Guardian report
Date: 2008-Feb
An article examined trends in suicide in young men aged 15-34. After rises in the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s, rates in young men had declined markedly in the previous 10 years in England and Wales. Reductions in key risk factors for suicide, such as unemployment, might be contributing to lower rates.
Source: Lucy Biddle, Anita Brock, Sara Brookes and David Gunnell, 'Suicide rates in young men in England and Wales in the 21st century: time trend study', British Medical Journal, 14 February 2008
Links: Article
Date: 2008-Feb
There were 92 self-inflicted deaths in prisons in England and Wales in 2007, compared to 67 in 2006.
Source: Press release 1 January 2008, Ministry of Justice (020 7210 8500)
Links: MOJ press release | Guardian report | Telegraph report | Community Care report
Date: 2008-Jan