General Article Suicide

Topic Selected: Self-harm and Suicide Book Volume: 400

The rate of young people ending their own life has increased across the UK, with trends considerably higher for young men than young women aged 20-24.

  • Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in children and young people.
  • Suicide may be linked to many factors, including poor mental health; self-harm; academic pressures or worries; bullying; social isolation; family environment and bereavement; relationship problems; substance misuse; or neglect. Risk factors are cumulative over the life course, and adverse childhood experiences, deprivation, and poor physical health also contribute to the risk.
  • Suicide represents the extreme endpoint of mental ill-health in children and young people. Many more young people either have suicidal ideation, attempt suicide, and a greater number still self-harm.
  • Official records of deaths by suicide may underestimate true numbers of deaths where suicidal intent was present, due to the high burden of proof that coroners require to determine official...

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