Attempted suicide and suicide
Updated July 2006
An attempt to end one’s life that may have a non-fatal or fatal outcome.
Most people who attempt suicide are either in their teens or are older people. Among those who attempt suicide, some are certain that they wish to die while others use the attempt to signal their desperation rather than end their lives. About 6,000 deaths each year in the UK and Republic of Ireland are attributed to suicide and undetermined death.[Go to note 1] It is estimated as the eighth leading cause of death in the UK. More young people attempt suicide, but more older people die from an attempt. In addition, more females attempt suicide, but more males die from an attempt.[Go to note 2] In 2002, 14 per cent of all suicide deaths in the UK and Republic of Ireland were people over the age of 64. Although, there have been considerable decreases over time for both older males and females as since 1992 there has been a 24 per cent fall.[Go to note 3]
Age standardised death rates per 100,000 population from suicide and undetermined injury, England 1969-2000 (Department of Health, 2002)
The majority of suicides in people of all ages are associated with an underlying mental health disorder. About half of all suicide attempts are a consequence of depression or bipolar affective disorder. Suicide by older people is often the result of depression caused by bereavement and loneliness. Incurable physical illnesses lead to one in five suicides of people over the age of 65.[Go to note 2]
If suicide has been attempted, admission to hospital is usually necessary for assessment and treatment. In the case of an overdose, as much of the ingested substance as possible is removed from the body to prevent it from being absorbed. If the substance is identifiable, an antidote will be given if there is one available. Treatment for underlying psychiatric problems is particularly important to prevent future suicide attempts. Some people talk about their wish to kill themselves before they attempt suicide and these threats should be taken seriously.
References:
[1] England and Wales, Office for National Statistics; Scotland, General Register Office for Scotland, Northern Ireland, NI Statistics Agency; Ireland, Central Statistics Office. In Samaritans' Suicide Statistics resource.
[2] Department of Health (2002) National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England
[3] Samaritans (2004) Information Resource Pack 2006 - download as a pdf.
Further information
- American Association of Suicidology is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the understanding and prevention of suicide. www.suicidology.org/
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. www.afsp.org/
- Befrienders Worldwide is a registered charity, developing volunteer action to prevent suicide in almost 40 countrie. www.befrienders.org/
- Centre for Suicide Research (Oxford University). http://cebmh.warne.ox.ac.uk/csr/
- Department of Health National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England. Read more on the Department of Health website.
- European Network for Suicidology. www.uke.uni-hamburg.de/extern/ens/
- International Academy for Suicide Research is an international organisation for research in the field of suicidal behaviour. It also has its own journal, the Archives of Suicide Research. www.uni-wuerzburg.de/IASR/
- International Association for Suicide Prevention. www.med.uio.no/iasp/
- Mental Health Foundation. www.mentalhealth.org.uk/
- Mind, the mental health charity. www.mind.org.uk/
- National Institute for Mental Health in England publishes the Annual Report on Progress of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England. http://nimhe.csip.org.uk
- NHS Direct Online. www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/
- NHS National Electronic Library for Mental Health – Suicide. Read more on the NLH website.
- Royal College of Psychiatrists Bereavement Information Pack for those bereaved by suicide or other sudden death. Read more on the Royal College of Psychiatrists website.
- Samaritans. www.samaritans.org.uk/
- SANE is one of the UK's leading charities concerned with improving the lives of everyone affected by mental illness. www.sane.org.uk/
- Centre for Suicide Prevention (Canada). www.suicideinfo.ca/
- World Health Organisation Health Topic – Suicide. Read more on the WHO website - www.who.int/topics/suicide/en/