Information taken from NUS website.
Facts and Figures
It is estimated that there are 24,000 cases of attempted suicide by each year in England and Wales- which is one attempt every 20 minutes.
Young people with a past history of suicide attempts are at greater risk of engaging in further suicide attempts.
Between 2001 and 2002, the number of suicides amongst all 15 - 24 year-olds in the UK and Republic of Ireland dropped from 757 to 716. (5% fall). However, within the 25 - 34 age group it increased from 1351 to 1378 (2 % increase).
According to the Samaritans, Adolescents with suicidal thoughts were more anxious, depressed and had lower self-esteem than those who did not report such ideas.
Risk factors for suicidal ideation include being female, having basic unmet needs, engaging in same gender sex, and depression. Resiliency factors include family closeness, and, marginally, religious beliefs.
Reasons for Attempting Suicide (from the Samaritans):
- "To get relief from a terrible state of mind"
- "I wanted to die"
- "I wanted to punish myself"
- "To show how desperate I was feeling"
- "To see if someone loved me"
- "To get attention"
- "To frighten someone"
- "To get my own back."
Mental health problems & Suicide
Suicide risk is raised for virtually all mental health problems and substance abuse. Suicidal thoughts and behaviour, both past and present, increase the risk even further.
- 90% of people who die by suicide are thought to have one or more diagnosable mental health problems at the time they kill themselves.
Major depression, anxiety states and schizophrenia and are most highly associated with suicide, with relative risks of 20, 8.5 and 6 times higher than that observed in the general population respectively.
People with severe mental health problems are less likely to be employed or married and the illness itself may cause social isolation. All these factors by themselves are associated with increased risk of suicide.
Suicidal Thoughts
Studies by the Samaritans have shown:
Adolescents with suicidal thoughts were more anxious, depressed and had lower self-esteem than those who did not report such ideas.
The more suicidal young people feel, the less likely they are to seek professional help.
Young people attempting suicide who persistently express suicidal ideas, particularly where there is evidence of planning and strong intent to die, are at an increased risk of re-attempting suicide.
Young people frequently express suicidal thoughts in the year before the suicide, to relatives, professionals, partners and friends.
Hopelessness is an important factor to assess with adolescent suicides because it has been associated with suicide attempts and completed suicide.
If you have experienced any of these thoughts, or are worried about someone you can get confidential support and advice at the Samaritans on 08457 909090.
