• Latest stats show in England one person dies from Suicide every 85 minutes.
  • 3 out of 4 suicides will be men.
  • Hanging is the largest suicide method used in the UK for both men and women.
  • Suicide ends more lives than leukaemia in the UK.
  • Globally one person dies as a result of suicide every 40 seconds.
  • Over 800 000 people die due to suicide every year.
  • Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds globally.
  • If you are Male and under 50 in the UK you are more likely to die by Suicide, than by accident, illness or injury.
  • Three quarters of people who die by suicide will not have been in contact with mental health services.
  • Depression is the biggest single diagnosis of people who die by suicide
  • The number of people who experience suicidal thinking is at least 10 times higher than the numbers of people who die by suicide.
  • Many suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis with a breakdown in the ability to deal with life stresses, such as financial problems, relationship break-up or chronic pain and illness.
  • In addition, experiencing conflict, disaster, violence, abuse, or loss and a sense of isolation are strongly associated with suicidal behaviour.
  • Suicide rates are also high amongst vulnerable groups who experience discrimination, such as refugees and migrants; indigenous peoples; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex (LGBTI) persons; and prisoners.
  • By far the strongest risk factor for suicide is a previous suicide attempt

 

MYTHS ABOUT SUICIDE

  • There is no way of knowing who is going to ‘commit’ suicide
  • Asking people about suicide will increase the risk
  • People who are serious about ‘completing’ suicide do not tell anyone else
  • People who self-harm are just attention seeking and are not at risk of suicide
  • Restriction of one method of suicide will lead to person choosing another