Suicide rates – a Public Health issue

On the 18^th February, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published a report on suicide rates in the UK for 2012. The report highlighted that although the overall rates for people committing suicide had dropped since 1981, they had actually risen over the last five years. The report also identified the growing concern of high suicide rates for men compared with women for the same period.

The ONS Key Findings

• In 2012, there were 5,981 suicides in people aged 15 and over in the UK – of which 4,590 were males and 1,391 were females 
• In 1981 there 6,595 recorded suicide rates of which 4,129 were male and 2,466 were female
• The highest suicide rate was among men aged between 40 and 44 (25.0 deaths per 100,000 population) and the lowest rate was among men aged 15 to 19 at 6.4 deaths per 100,000 population
• In 2012 in England, the suicide rate was highest in the North West at 12.4 deaths per 100,000 population and lowest in London at 8.7 per 100,000 population

In 2012, the male suicide rate was more than three times the rate for females

The difference between men and women, socio-economic affects

The high suicide rate is undoubtedly a huge cause for concern despite the fact they have fallen over the past thirty years. However, it is the disparity between the rates of men and women that needs to be considered. With males three times more likely to commit suicide than their female counterparts, one needs to question why?

A recent report published by the Samaritans “Men, Suicide and Society” suggested that social and cultural changes, (rising female employment, increases in solo living), could be having significant impacts on the lives of men who are now in mid-life. In addition, the report made clear that men from low socio-economic backgrounds are also particularly at risk of committing suicide. This may be attributed to the arguments that people who live in disadvantaged communities, may have fewer prospects, less support networks leading to feelings of isolation, are more likely to be unemployed – augmenting feelings of low self worth and feeling they have nothing to live for. As a result they are more likely to engage in high health risk behaviour (smoke, drink, take drugs) as a form of escapism/way to deal with their stress.  

Nonetheless, women and young people are not immune to these problems described above. The evidence clearly states that people who live is in poorer communities, are more likely to experience greater physical and mental health problems, are more likely to do less exercise and have poorer diets – both of which have been indentified as improving ones overall wellbeing.   

 As with men, suicide is the leading cause of death among women aged between 20 and 34 years of age

The ONS report states that that people with mental illness have a higher suicide risk than the general population. Therefore, we need to help improve, protect and support people who are at risk of developing mental problems, as  well as targeting the younger population to build mental resilience. 

What is to be done?

In September 2012 the Department of Health launched ‘Preventing Suicide in England’ which sought to reduce suicide rates and improve those affected by suicide. The new strategy outlines six areas for action including: reducing the risk of suicide in key high-risk groups (for example, people in the care of mental health services, people with a history of self-harm, people in contact with the criminal justice system, and men aged under 50) and reducing access to the means of suicide.

It is also essential that the government looks deeply at the root causes that can lead to poor mental health, such as, economic deprivation, isolation, community disengagement, as well as supporting individuals and communities to partake in activities that are recognised as improving mental wellbeing – this could help reduce suicide rates. 

The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) is passionate about supporting the public's health and advocates that increased health awareness, community engagement and training individuals can help eliminate many of the problems highlighted throughout this Blog. A clear example is our Well London Training Communities programme, information can be found here and here, which aims to equip volunteers living in hard to reach communities to increase wellbeing knowledge, confidence and skills to bring about positive lifestyle changes.

The RSPH has also developed a Level 2 Award in Mental Wellbeing qualification, which aims to provide evidence based, practical skills on how to improve and maintain good mental wellbeing. When we are positive and happier, we are more likely to feel we can tackle everyday issues and face what life throws at us.

For information on this training please contact Gina Mohajer gmohajer@rsph.org.uk.       

Suicide is the leading cause of death in England and Wales for men aged between 20 and 49 years

Support for people who have suicidal thoughts

The NHS Health Choices website provides helpful information for people who are considering taking their lives. If you have thoughts about taking your own life, it's important you ask someone for help.

·         speak to a friend, family member or someone you trust as they may be able to help you calm down and find some breathing space

·         call the Samaritans 24-hour support service on 08457 90 90 90

·         go to, or call, your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department and tell the staff how you are feeling

·         contact NHS 111

·         make an urgent appointment to see your GP

Visit the NHS Health Choices website here

Men's Health Week 2013: breaking the mental health stigma  

This year Men’s Health Week, led by the Men’s Health Forum, aims to tackle the stigma attached to men’s mental health and encourage more men to seek professional help.

It is understood that although equivalent numbers of men and women suffer from mental ill health, men are far less likely to receive diagnosis and treatment, because of their reluctance/hesitance to seek professional health advice.  Statistics from the Men’s Health Forum highlighted that in the UK, three in four suicides are committed by men and that around 4,500 men kill themselves each year.

The distressing truth is that men are not as comfortable talking about their feelings and are even more ashamed to admit that they may be feeling depressed/stressed/anxious, in fear that they will appear weak amongst their peers. As a result, men often suffer alone or indulge in high risk behaviour such as drinking and drugs as a coping mechanism, which can be equally as detrimental to their health.

Martin Tod, CEO of the Men’s Health Forum said; “If all men could talk about how they were feeling with confidence, I don’t think we’d be looking at horrific figures like these. Whatever the problem, your GP has heard it before. Don’t bottle it up”.

Shirley Cramer CBE, Chief Executive RSPH, says “the messages being raised in Men’s Health Week are vital, mental health is too often seen as a taboo subject especially amongst men. Good mental health is more than just the absence of mental illness and in addition to preventing and treating mental illness we should be actively promoting positive mental health. A key aspect of this is individuals feeling they can discuss their feelings and can ask for help.”

At the RSPH we strongly advocate the importance of maintaining good mental health. In our Mental Health report, we outlined the many harmful affects that poor mental health can have on the individual, on their family and society as a whole. In order to understand the importance of good mental health and ways this can be achieved, we have developed a new qualification in Understanding Mental Health and Wellbeing Level 2 Award. The interactive training day promotes the positive impacts of good mental health, as well as providing practical skills and knowledge of the measures that can be taken to prevent and protect against mental ill health. For more information on our training programme, click here or contact Gina Mohajer gmohajer@rsph.org.uk.  

For more information on men's health week see the Men’s Health Forum and to view the statistics on men’s mental health click here.