BBC News School Report @ LCS

Suicide rates in the UK have decrease since 2011 by 4.7%. Compared to other countries, Britain has a relatively low suicide rate.

The causes of the suicides in the UK:

• 36% had a physical health condition such as acne or asthma
• 29% were facing exams or exam results; four died on an exam day or the day after
• 28% had been bereaved
• 22% had been bullied, mostly face to face

NHS figures show that the number of people self-harming is rising however, there has been a sudden rise with girls under 18 self-harming.

Statistics have shown that three quarters of suicides in 2016 were men. This may be surprising to many as they are heavily stereotyped. People judge others differently depending on their gender and people don’t care as much about more men committing suicide. Suicide risks are higher among divorced men and relationship breakdown can be a large and important factor.

Research has shown that suicide by students has peaked in the season of exams and this needs to be addressed. 14% of all death are by people aged 10 to 19 year olds; exams put people under pressure.

Social factors can also lead to depression or suicide, but why have the rates dropped? One of the reasons the rate has dropped is because mor single gendered therapies have opened. No one has ever thought that men don’t open up around women as they may feel weak of guilty.

This may or may not be the answer to reducing the number of both men and women committing suicide.