A report examined the issue of railway suicide across the United Kingdom. It highlighted inconsistencies in how data on suicide was collected and the way emergency services, government agencies and the police collaborated. It said that the alleged association between mental illness and railway suicide required further research. The report recommended: changes to the physical environment, based on existing evidence; the collection of more rigorous and detailed data; better preventative co-ordination between emergency services; and more effective preventive intervention in high-risk groups.
Source: Kamaldeep Bhui, Jason Chalangary, and Edgar Jones, Railway Suicides in the UK: Risk factors and prevention strategies, Careif/Cultural Consultation Service/NHS England/British Transport Police
Links: Report | Careif press release | CCS press release
Date: 2013-Nov
A report examined the prevention of suicide of mental health patients in the United Kingdom. It said that mental health service providers looking after patients at risk of suicide should: reduce absconding on in-patient wards; boost specialist community services such as crisis resolution, home treatment, assertive outreach, and services for patients with dual diagnosis; implement NICE guidance on depression; and share information with criminal justice agencies.
Source: National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness, Patient Suicide: The impact of service changes – a UK wide study, University of Manchester
Links: Report | University of Manchester press release
Date: 2013-Nov
An article said that the increase in the number of suicides in England between 2008 and 2010 was not statistically significant. There were, however, statistically significant increases and decreases in some regions.
Source: Carme Saurin, Basili Bragulat, Marc Saez, and Guillem Lopez-Casasnovas, 'A conditional model for estimating the increase in suicides associated with the 2008-2010 economic recession in England', Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, Volume 67 Number 9
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-Aug
An article examined the contribution of public awareness campaigning in developing community capacity towards preventing male suicide, and emerging considerations for suicide prevention programme development.
Source: Mark Robinson, Steve Robertson, and Debbie Braybrook, '"Talk" about male suicide? Learning from community programmes', Mental Health Review Journal, Volume 18 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-Jul
A paper examined suicide and self-harm among children in care and care-leavers. Multi-agency policies, guidance, and recording were all essential parts of the response.
Source: Judy Furnivall, Understanding Suicide and Self-Harm amongst Children in Care and Care Leavers, Insight 21, Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services
Links: Paper
Date: 2013-Jul
An annual report said that suicide by mental health patients had risen, to 1,333 deaths in 2011 (England), following a previous fall. The rise probably reflected the rise in suicide in the general population, which had been attributed to existing economic difficulties. The proportion of patients dying by suicide who were unemployed had risen in England and Northern Ireland. An apparent rise in Scotland was largely explained by a coding change, but the adjusted figure for patient suicide was still comparatively high. Increases in Wales and Northern Ireland were based on small numbers and should be treated with caution.
Source: Louis Appleby, Nav Kapur, Jenny Shaw, Isabelle Hunt, David While, Sandra Flynn, Kirsten Windfuhr, and Alyson Williams, Annual Report July 2013, National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness (University of Manchester)
Links: Report | Manchester University press release | MHN press release | Mind press release
Date: 2013-Jul
A report by an all-party group of MPs said that all local authorities in England should be required to develop and implement a suicide prevention strategy.
Source: The Future of Local Suicide Prevention Plans in England, All-Party Parliamentary Group on Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention
Links: Report | Samaritans press release | Turning Point press release
Date: 2013-Feb
In 2011 there were 6,045 suicides among people aged 15 and over in the United Kingdom, an increase of 437 (7.7 per cent) compared with 2010. The suicide rate increased significantly between 2010 and 2011, from 11.1 to 11.8 deaths per 100,000 population. There were 4,552 male suicides in 2011 (18.2 suicides per 100,000 population) and 1,493 female suicides (5.6 per 100,000 population). The highest suicide rate was in males aged 30-44 (23.5 deaths per 100,000 population in 2011).
Source: Suicides in the United Kingdom, 2011, Office for National Statistics
Links: Bulletin | SANE press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2013-Jan