BMJ  2008;336:539-542 (8 March), doi:10.1136/bmj.39475.603935.25 (published 14 February 2008)

Research

Suicide rates in young men in England and Wales in the 21st century: time trend study

¹ Department of Social Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2PR, ² Office for National Statistics, London SW1V 2QQ

Objectives To explore trends in suicide in young people to investigate the recent observation that after year on year rises in the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s, rates in young men are now declining.

Design Time trend analysis.

Setting England and Wales, 1968-2005.

Population Men and women aged 15-34 years.

Results Since the 1990s, rates of suicide in young men have declined steadily and by 2005 they were at their lowest level for almost 30 years. This decline is partly because of a reduction in poisoning with car exhaust gas as an increased number of cars have catalytic converters; but there have been declines in suicides from all common methods, including hanging, suggesting a more pervasive effect. Other risk factors for suicide, such as unemployment and divorce, have also decreased. Possible recent reductions in alcohol use among young men and increases in prescribing of antidepressants do not seem to be temporally related to the decline in suicide.

Conclusions Suicide rates in young men have declined markedly in the past 10 years in England and Wales. Reductions in key risk factors for suicide, such as unemployment, might be contributing to lower rates.

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This article has been cited by other articles:

• Large, M., Smith, G., Swinson, N., Shaw, J., Nielssen, O. (2008). Homicide due to mental disorder in England and Wales over 50 years. Br. J. Psychiatry 193: 130-133 [Abstract] [Full text]  
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Rapid Responses:

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Can psychiatrists in conscience vote Conservative?

Matthew J Rogers
bmj.com, 1 Apr 2008 [Full text]

It's probably not catalytic converters and the age groups aren't helpful

Simon Hatcher
bmj.com, 8 Apr 2008 [Full text]