A briefing examined the problem of youth suicide. It said that social policy measures needed to prevent suicide by addressing the broader socio-economic and environmental determinants of health, while specific communities might benefit from targeted interventions.
Source: Philip Crowley, Jean Kilroe and Sara Burke, Youth Suicide Prevention, Health Development Agency (020 7430 0850)
Links: HDA press release
Date: 2004-Oct
An inquiry into self-harm among young people published an interim report, focusing on the prevalence of self-harm, the reasons behind the behaviour, and how services were intervening in the lives of those who self-harmed.
Source: National Inquiry Into Self-harm Among Young People, What Do We Already Know?: Prevalence, risk factors and models of intervention, Mental Health Foundation (020 7802 0300) and Camelot Foundation
Links: Report (Word file) | Inquiry press release (Word file) | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Sep
The government announced a strategy for tackling suicides in prisons. It said that there was a need to reduce the level of distress in prison and promote the well-being of all staff and prisoners, as well as targeting additional support at the most vulnerable.
Source: House of Commons Hansard, Written Ministerial Statement 31 March 2004, columns 92-94WS, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Hansard
Date: 2004-Mar