Facts of Suicide

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Since 1991 there has been a 6% decrease in the suicide rate in the UK, but there are still between 5-6,000 suicides each year. This represents 8.6 suicides per 100,000 of the population, or one suicide every 88 minutes.

Suicide is more common in men than women across all age groups â€“ 75% of suicides are by males. In the 25-44 age range men are 4 times more likely to kill themselves than women.

Young men are at particular risk of suicide - suicide rates amongst young men have doubled since 1985. Men aged 25-34 are at highest risk of suicide, followed by men aged 35-44. Suicide is the most common cause of death in men under 35.

In 2000 there were almost 700 suicides by young people â€“ nearly 2 every day. Research by Samaritans suggests that only 1 in 5, 16-24 year olds with suicidal thoughts would seek help from their GP.

It is estimated that at least 140,000 people attempt suicide each year in England and Wales. One in five people who attempt suicide will try again, and 10% of those who try again will eventually take their own life.

Approximately 19,000 young people attempt suicide every year.

Research shows that many people who take their own life have the medical condition depression. In Britain, 3-4% of men and 7-8% of women have moderate to severe depression at any one time.

The National Suicide Prevention Strategy was launched in September 2002 with the aim of reducing the number of suicides in England by at least a fifth by 2010.