Suicide rate falls to new low

A report on the suicide rate for young men in England has revealed that the rate is continuing to fall.

The report revealed that the suicide rate in the three-year period from 2002 to 2004 was 8.56 deaths per 100,000 of the population. This is a reduction of 6.6% from the 1995 to 1997 figure of 9.2 deaths per 100,000.

The Government target is to reduce the suicide rate by at least a fifth to 7.3 deaths per 100,000 population in 2009 to 2011.

The national suicide rate is at its lowest level since records began, according to the third annual report of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy published today. The report also shows a sustained drop in the number of young men committing suicide - which is the first sustained downward trend for 25 years - and a drop in the number of suicides among prisoners and mental health in-patients.

The report, which was jointly produced by the Department of Health and the National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE), outlined several areas where progress is being made.

Among these are mental health promotion pilots, the commissioning of research into the risk of suicide and self harm amongst lesbian, gay and bisexual people and a separate research project looking at suicide risk amongst different ethnic minority groups.

The report also noted that the phased withdrawal of the commonly prescribed painkiller co-proxamol was also helping to reduce suicide rates.

Health minister Rosie Winterton said: "Suicide is a major cause of preventable death in England and elsewhere. At a personal level, suicide is a terrible and needless tragedy, and each death is a loss to society.

"The sustained decline in the suicide rate for young men is welcome. This shows that our suicide prevention strategy is having a real impact on the vulnerable people who most need help."

National director for mental health Professor Louis Appleby said: "The fall in in-patient suicides is particularly encouraging news. In-patient safety has been a real focus for the NHS, including the introduction of specific measures such as better risk management, appropriate care and treatment for people who self harm and removal of ligature points from which hangings could occur.

He added: "Whilst these figures are positive, we must work hard to ensure that this downward trend continues. Changes in the suicide rate reflect the mental health of the community and every action we take to improve mental health services will help reduce these numbers further."

(SP/KMcA)