Suicide is one of the top three causes of death in people aged 10-44 years throughout the world. In the UK, suicide rates fell from a peak in the 1980s in men and women, but they have started to rise again in the past few years (11.8 per 100 000 in 2011) (www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171778_295718.pdf), with the highest rates in men aged 30-59 years. Self harm is defined here as any act of self poisoning or self injury irrespective of motivation but generally excludes habitual behaviours such as hair pulling and the consequences of excessive consumption of alcohol or drugs. Self harm is one of the five leading causes of hospital admission and is associated with a significantly increased risk of subsequent death, much of it by suicide.
Language: en
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