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19/09/2003
Suicide rates in young men are rising, claim scientists
Conventional methods for assessing trends in suicide rates mask an "important increase in suicide rates among younger men", according to a letter appearing in this week’s issue of The Lancet from two scientists at Bristol University.
The conventional method for measuring population suicide trends involves analysis of suicides across all age-ranges, combining male and female suicides.
However, Professor David Gunnell and Nicos Middleton from the University of Bristol say that suicide assessment - which focuses on the age of the individual or ‘potential years of life lost’ (PYLL) - provides a different perspective of suicide trends.
They report how analysis of routine mortality and census data for England and Wales shows that although age-standardised suicide rates fell by 18% between 1981 and 1998, the PYLL before age 65 years increased by 5%. The researchers say that this is due to an increase in suicides in young men.
Professor Gunnell said: “In England and Wales, favourable trends in overall suicide rates have masked an increase in suicide rates in young men.
"This finding suggests that nations with similar patterns of suicide to those seen in England and Wales, such as Australia and the USA, might also have reductions in overall suicide rates yet deteriorating rates in young people. Such deteriorations are especially important if they signify a decline in young people’s mental health."
(gmcg)
The conventional method for measuring population suicide trends involves analysis of suicides across all age-ranges, combining male and female suicides.
However, Professor David Gunnell and Nicos Middleton from the University of Bristol say that suicide assessment - which focuses on the age of the individual or ‘potential years of life lost’ (PYLL) - provides a different perspective of suicide trends.
They report how analysis of routine mortality and census data for England and Wales shows that although age-standardised suicide rates fell by 18% between 1981 and 1998, the PYLL before age 65 years increased by 5%. The researchers say that this is due to an increase in suicides in young men.
Professor Gunnell said: “In England and Wales, favourable trends in overall suicide rates have masked an increase in suicide rates in young men.
"This finding suggests that nations with similar patterns of suicide to those seen in England and Wales, such as Australia and the USA, might also have reductions in overall suicide rates yet deteriorating rates in young people. Such deteriorations are especially important if they signify a decline in young people’s mental health."
(gmcg)
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A female suicide bomber is believed to be responsible for the airport bombing in Russia which killed at least 35 people including one Briton. The blast, which took place at Domodedovo airport, left over 100 people injured. Russian authorities have said two Britons were among those killed however the Foreign Office can only confirm one.
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