This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/7537223.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Suicide rate at record low level Suicide rate at record low level
(about 5 hours later)
The suicide rate in England has continued to fall and is now at a record low, figures show.The suicide rate in England has continued to fall and is now at a record low, figures show.
A National Institute for Mental Health in England report reveals particular progress in cutting suicides among young men.A National Institute for Mental Health in England report reveals particular progress in cutting suicides among young men.
The three-year average was 8.3 suicides per 100,000 population in 2004-06, down from 8.5 in the previous three years.The three-year average was 8.3 suicides per 100,000 population in 2004-06, down from 8.5 in the previous three years.
However, the report raised concerns about the impact of insensitive media reporting of suicide.However, the report raised concerns about the impact of insensitive media reporting of suicide.
It is vital that we redouble our efforts to reduce the growing number of suicides in prisons, where overcrowding and insufficient mental health care provision are major barriers to reducing both suicide and self-harm Andy BellSainsbury Centre for Mental HealthIt is vital that we redouble our efforts to reduce the growing number of suicides in prisons, where overcrowding and insufficient mental health care provision are major barriers to reducing both suicide and self-harm Andy BellSainsbury Centre for Mental Health
The media has attracted criticism over the way it handled a series of suicides in the Bridgend region of Wales, with critics suggesting the reports may encourage copy-cat behaviour.The media has attracted criticism over the way it handled a series of suicides in the Bridgend region of Wales, with critics suggesting the reports may encourage copy-cat behaviour.
The report shows a 7.5% drop in suicides among young men aged 20-34 between 2003-05 and 2004-06.The report shows a 7.5% drop in suicides among young men aged 20-34 between 2003-05 and 2004-06.
There were 145 suicides among mental health in-patients in 2005 compared with 157 in 2004.There were 145 suicides among mental health in-patients in 2005 compared with 157 in 2004.
The number of suicides among people in contact with mental health services also dropped, from 1,308 in 2004 to 1,277 in 2005.The number of suicides among people in contact with mental health services also dropped, from 1,308 in 2004 to 1,277 in 2005.
However, the number of suicides in prison rose to 82 in 2007-08 from 71 in 2006-07.However, the number of suicides in prison rose to 82 in 2007-08 from 71 in 2006-07.
Government targetGovernment target
Ivan Lewis, the Care Services Minister, described the drop in suicides among young men and mental health in-patients as "encouraging".Ivan Lewis, the Care Services Minister, described the drop in suicides among young men and mental health in-patients as "encouraging".
But he said: "We must do more to tackle the rise in prison suicides and promote sensitive media reporting of suicides."But he said: "We must do more to tackle the rise in prison suicides and promote sensitive media reporting of suicides."
He said work was also underway to ensure that journalists covered suicides in a "more sensitive and thoughtful way" in future.He said work was also underway to ensure that journalists covered suicides in a "more sensitive and thoughtful way" in future.
The suicide prevention strategy for England was launched in September 2002 to support a government target of cutting the suicide rate by at least 20% by 2010.The suicide prevention strategy for England was launched in September 2002 to support a government target of cutting the suicide rate by at least 20% by 2010.
If achieved, this would see the suicide rate fall from 9.2 deaths per 100,000 population in 1995-97 to 7.3 deaths per 100,000 in 2009-11.If achieved, this would see the suicide rate fall from 9.2 deaths per 100,000 population in 1995-97 to 7.3 deaths per 100,000 in 2009-11.
MomentumMomentum
Celia Richardson, of the Mental Health Foundation, said: "It looks unlikely the government's target will be met by the target date.Celia Richardson, of the Mental Health Foundation, said: "It looks unlikely the government's target will be met by the target date.
"But we hope that the momentum will remain with suicide prevention after this period."But we hope that the momentum will remain with suicide prevention after this period.
"We are particularly keen to see community-based approaches being implemented across the country.""We are particularly keen to see community-based approaches being implemented across the country."
Marjorie Wallace, of the mental health charity SANE, said more deaths could be prevented if more crisis numbers were made available within mental health services, and if those at risk were identfied and offered care more rapidly.
"There are still far too few trusts that (last figures show 50%) do not have crisis numbers or places of refuge where people can go when they believe that life has become unbearable."
Andy Bell, of the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health, said: "Every suicide is a tragedy for everyone involved so it is reassuring that overall numbers of suicides are falling.Andy Bell, of the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health, said: "Every suicide is a tragedy for everyone involved so it is reassuring that overall numbers of suicides are falling.
"It is vital that we redouble our efforts to reduce the growing number of suicides in prisons, where overcrowding and insufficient mental health care provision are major barriers to reducing both suicide and self-harm.""It is vital that we redouble our efforts to reduce the growing number of suicides in prisons, where overcrowding and insufficient mental health care provision are major barriers to reducing both suicide and self-harm."
The report highlights action being taken around the country to try to reduce suicides.The report highlights action being taken around the country to try to reduce suicides.
For instance, in the South West physical barriers have been erected at well known "jump points" and "suicide patrols" of volunteers have been established to patrol hotspot areas.For instance, in the South West physical barriers have been erected at well known "jump points" and "suicide patrols" of volunteers have been established to patrol hotspot areas.
In Nottingham a theatre group has written and produced a piece called "Strange Acts" which explores the theme of self-harm.In Nottingham a theatre group has written and produced a piece called "Strange Acts" which explores the theme of self-harm.
The play will be used in a variety of health promotion events and workshops.The play will be used in a variety of health promotion events and workshops.