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ONS research reveals worrying suicide rise

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Statistics show downward trend has stalled

Newly released figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have revealed the first overall rise in UK suicide rates since 2004.

The organisation's research details the number of recorded cases of suicide in the UK between 1999 and 2008. But despite a nine per cent overall decrease in incidences of people taking their own lives within that period, the 2008 figure of 5,735 deaths represents an increase on the 5,405 reported in 2007.

Figures from the Samaritans also suggest that suicide is still a significant issue in the UK. Of the dialogue contacts received by the charity in 2008, 19.1 per cent of people expressed suicidal feelings, while 35.6 per cent of those who emailed said they had considered taking their own lives.

Suicide: country by country

The ONS statistics show differing fortunes among individual UK countries in tackling suicide.

England had the highest overall suicide rate and the biggest increase in incidences of suicide between 2007 and 2008, rising from 4,011 to 4,301. However, both figures are lower than the 1999 recorded suicide rate of 4,889.

Meanwhile Northern Ireland remains the only UK region to have seen a rise in overall suicide rates since 1999, with a rise of 64 per cent. A total of 154 cases of suicide were documented in 1999, compared to 282 in 2008. The latest figure itself represents a rise since 2007, when the recorded suicide rate was 242.

Scotland had the lowest margin of any of the rises noted in UK countries, with an increase from 838 deaths by suicide in 2007 to 843 in 2008. However, Wales was the only country which recorded a drop in numbers, from 290 suicides in 2007 to 269 a year later.

'Men at higher risk of suicide'

A further breakdown of the ONS statistics reveals that men are at a higher risk of suicide than women in the UK, particularly in some age categories.

The highest rise in suicides and undetermined deaths, by age group and gender, was among men aged 35 to 44, where such incidences increased from 1,037 in 2007 to 1,108 in 2008. The 2008 figure also shows a rise since the study commenced in 1999, when the recorded rate for men in this age category was 1,030.

By comparison, the rate of suicide and undetermined deaths among UK women between the ages of 35 and 44 grew from 255 to 282 between 2007 and 2008. The highest recorded rate among women in 2008 was in the 45 to 54 age category, where 309 females died by suicide or methods which could not be established.

While for both genders suicide rates remained highest among people aged between 25 and 64, the ONS research also showed a rise in the number of 15 to 24-year-olds dying in this manner. According to the statistics, 473 men took their own lives in 2008, compared to 445 in 2007, while for women the figures were 119 and 102 respectively.

Differing results were observed among children aged zero to 14, however, with the male rate of suicide dropping from 18 incidents in 2007 to 16 in 2008, while the female rate increased from 10 to 13.

Support for people experiencing suicidal thoughts

Organisations such as Samaritans continue to provide support services for people experiencing emotional distress, including suicidal thoughts.

One new initiative the charity is involved in is designed to cut the number of deaths by suicide on UK railways. It is working with National Rail to try and reduce incidences of this type of suicide by 20 per cent over the next five years.

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress, you can also call Samaritans for support 24 hours on 08457 90 90 90 (UK) and 1850 60 90 90 (ROI), or email at jo@samaritans.org, or face to face - visit http://www.samaritans.org/ for your nearest branch.

To see the press release click here Samaritans comment on ONS 2008 suicide figures