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Suicide prevention

Overview

Suicide is a major public health issue. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about one million people take their own lives each year - one every 40 seconds. 1

In England, between 4000 and 5000 people take their own lives every year - one every two hours. 2

It is the commonest cause of death in men under 35 2 and exceeded only by ischaemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease in terms of total years of life lost up to age 85. 3

Each and every death by suicide is an individual tragedy, both because it signifies the degree of mental distress experienced by the person involved, and because of the impact of such an event on their family, friends and sometimes professional care staff who have been looking after them. 4

References

  1. World Health Organization. Suicide prevention (SUPRE). External Link (accessed 30 March 2007)
  2. Department of Health. National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England. London: Department of Health, 2002. External Link (accessed 10 April 2007)
  3. Health Protection Agency. Health Protection in the 21st Century. London: Health Protection Agency, 2005. External Link (accessed 10 April 2007)
  4. Department of Health. Help is at hand: a resource for people bereaved by suicide and other sudden, traumatic death. London: Department of Health, 2006. External Link (accessed 10 April 2007)