Index
This topic area covers statistics and information relating to suicide and self-harm in Hull including local strategic need and service provision. Other information relating to Mental Ill Health can be found within Vulnerable Groups, and information relating to Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing can be found within Health Factors under Adults and under Children and Young People. Further information relating to admissions for self-harm and mental health conditions among children and young people can be round within A&E Attendances and Hospital Admissions Among Children and Young People under Health Factors under Children and Young People.
A needs assessment was completed in Hull during 2023 for people with multiple unmet needs. The report – which was finalised in 2024 – is available within Multiple Unmet Needs under Vulnerable Groups.
This page contains information from the Office for Health Improvement & Disparities’ Fingertips. Information is taken ‘live’ from the site so uses the latest available data from Fingertips and displays it on this page. As a result, some comments on this page may relate to an earlier period of time until this page is next updated (see review dates at the end of this page).
The Office for National Statistics ‘back-date’ their recent estimates of the resident population once more accurate Census data becomes available. Their revised estimates were released for each local authority on the 23 November 2023. Prior to this, the Office for Health Improvement & Disparities removed their trend data which relied on resident population estimates from Fingertips. Whilst this has been updated for most indicators, it has not yet been updated for emergency hospital admissions for self-harm. The statements on this indicator have been retained from when there was data on Fingertips. When the back-revised population estimates are updated for this indicator, the actual values will change (in most cases slightly), but is is likely that the comments on the overall trend will remain similar.
Headlines
- There were 415 emergency hospital admissions for intentional self-harm in 2022/23 in Hull which was a rate that was statistically significantly higher than England (149 versus 126 admissions per 100,000 population). There were 170 hospital admissions for self-harm in 2022/23 in Hull among those aged 10-24 years and the rate was slightly higher but broadly comparable to England (332 versus 319 admissions per 100,000 population). This means that up to 40% of hospital admissions for self-harm occur among those aged 10-24 years, although it is not possible to state the percentage exactly as the measure for all ages relates to emergency admissions whereas the measure for those aged 10-24 years relates to all admissions (both non-emergency and emergency).
- Suicide is the biggest killer of men under the age of 45 in the UK. Every suicide has a huge impact on the person’s family, friends, local community and work colleagues.
- The mortality rate from suicide and undetermined injury is 21% higher in Hull compared to England, but the difference is not statistically significant (22% higher for males and 7% higher for females) for deaths registered during 2021 to 2023.
- There were 93 deaths from suicide and undetermined injury that were registered among Hull residents in the three years between 2021 and 2023 with just over three-quarters of the deaths among men (72 men and 21 women).
- There is considerable year-on-year variability, but the mortality rate from suicide and undetermined injury in Hull has increased in the last year for both men and women. The mortality rates in Hull have been consistently higher than England over the entire period 2001-03 to 2021-23 for both men and women.
- Reviews of local Coroner’s records have found 131 cases of suicide registered over the four years 2016-2019 for Hull residents, with a gender split of 79% male: 21% female. The most at risk age group in Hull is 35-49 years (37% of all cases), followed by 20-34 years (31% of cases) and then 50-64 years (20%).
- Isolation and worklessness are common features – 77% of Hull cases were single, divorced, separated or widowed; 50% lived alone and 58% were retired or not employed at the time of death.
- Suicide is complex and there are many contributing factors. However, the key risk factors found in the Hull cases are mental health problems, previous suicide attempts and/or self-harm, substance use, relationship/family problems, alcohol use, poor physical health, work problems, debt/financial problems, criminal justice issues and housing issues.
- Suicide is preventable and it is everybody’s business to be aware of risk factors and how to offer support to those at risk.
The Population Affected – Why Is It Important?
The impact of suicide on the person’s family, friends, local community and work colleagues is huge. It is estimated that each suicide further impacts up to 135 other people such as family, friends and colleagues. Losing someone through suicide can cause reactions and emotions that are different to those felt after death from illness, accident or natural causes. ‘The grieving process is characterised by questioning and a search for an explanation. Suicide is still a stigmatised topic, which can reinforce feelings of shame and stigma in the bereaved, and make the person feel worse and more isolated’, says Prof Keith Hawton from the Centre for Suicide Research, Oxford. In addition there is an increased risk of suicide, depression and admission to psychiatric care among those bereaved by suicide.
However suicide is a preventable rather than an inevitable event. Effective and evidence-based interventions can be implemented at population, sub-population and individual levels to prevent suicide and suicide attempts.
Suicide prevention is everybody’s business.
A suicidal person may not ask for help, but that doesn’t mean that help isn’t wanted. Most people who take their own lives don’t want to die – they just want to stop hurting. Suicide prevention starts with recognising the warning signs and taking them seriously.
Sudden unexplained deaths are investigated to establish the cause of death, and in England this is undertaken by a coroner through in inquest. Sometimes it is difficult to establish whether the cause death was suicide as sometimes it is not clear if there was intent or whether the death was due to an accident. In England in 2018, the criteria to determine if the death was suicide was lowered from “beyond reasonable doubt” to “the balance of probabilities”. However, there can be differences between coroner verdicts, and as there is still stigma associated with suicide deaths it is possible that some deaths are not classified as suicides particularly if there are religious taboos around suicide or the death involved a child. As a consequence, deaths from ‘undetermined intent’ are included within the definition of suicide deaths.
Deaths occurring in England not requiring a coroner’s involvement need to be registered within five days, but there will be delays in registering a death for suicides as an inquest is necessary, and it can be several months before a suicide or deaths from ‘undetermined intent’ is registered. As a result, national suicide statistics are reported based on the year of the death registration rather than the year of the death.
The Hull Picture
Self-Harm
The Office for Health Improvement & Disparities’ Fingertips provides information relating to hospital admissions for intentional self-harm, and shows that the directly age standardised admission rate per 100,000 population is statistically significantly higher in Hull compared to England for 2022/23 for all ages (emergency admissions), and slightly higher but not significantly so for those aged 10-24 years (all admissions).
The rate is given as the number of admissions per 100,000 population and patients can be included more than once within the financial year if they are admitted for self-harm on more than one occasion during the year (admitted as an emergency for all ages).
Compared with benchmark
Indicator | Period | England | Yorkshire and the Humber region (statistical) | Kingston upon Hull | East Riding of Yorkshire | North East Lincolnshire | North Lincolnshire | York | North Yorkshire UA | Barnsley | Doncaster | Rotherham | Sheffield | Bradford | Calderdale | Kirklees | Leeds | Wakefield |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Emergency Hospital Admissions for Intentional Self-Harm (Persons All ages) | 2022/23 | 126.3 | 120.6 | 148.5 | 93.7 | 153.3 | 102.4 | 93.9 | 115.9 | 225.1 | 128.5 | 126.9 | 144.0 | 113.1 | 142.0 | 104.9 | 80.5 | 153.2 |
Hospital admissions as a result of self-harm (10-24 years) (Persons 10-24 yrs) | 2022/23 | 319.0 | 254.8 | 331.6 | 285.4 | 244.7 | 197.3 | 254.5 | 284.3 | 374.9 | 268.4 | 225.7 | 289.3 | 257.8 | 305.7 | 231.7 | 171.6 | 315.7 |
Indicator | Period | England | Yorkshire and the Humber region (statistical) | Kingston upon Hull | East Riding of Yorkshire | North East Lincolnshire | North Lincolnshire | York | North Yorkshire UA | Barnsley | Doncaster | Rotherham | Sheffield | Bradford | Calderdale | Kirklees | Leeds | Wakefield |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Emergency Hospital Admissions for Intentional Self-Harm (Persons All ages) | 2022/23 | 126.3 | 120.6 | 148.5 | 93.7 | 153.3 | 102.4 | 93.9 | 115.9 | 225.1 | 128.5 | 126.9 | 144.0 | 113.1 | 142.0 | 104.9 | 80.5 | 153.2 |
Hospital admissions as a result of self-harm (10-24 years) (Persons 10-24 yrs) | 2022/23 | 319.0 | 254.8 | 331.6 | 285.4 | 244.7 | 197.3 | 254.5 | 284.3 | 374.9 | 268.4 | 225.7 | 289.3 | 257.8 | 305.7 | 231.7 | 171.6 | 315.7 |
The emergency admission rate for self-harm in Hull has fallen between 2010/11 and 2022/23 for all ages. In the year 2022/23, there were 415 emergency admissions for self-harm among Hull residents. In general, the rate in Hull has fallen at a faster rate compared to England reducing the inequalities gap over time. Whilst Hull’s rate has been statistically significantly higher than England for most years, the rate in 2021/22 was not statistically significantly different in Hull compared to England, but for the latest year, the reduction in Hull was smaller than the reduction for England, which resulted in the rate in Hull being statistically significantly higher in Hull compared to England.
Compared with benchmark
Emergency Hospital Admissions for Intentional Self-Harm (Persons All ages)
Period
|
Kingston upon Hull |
Yorkshire and the Humber region (statistical)
|
England
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Count
|
Value
|
95%
Lower CI |
95%
Upper CI |
||||
2010/11 | • | 979 | 341.1 | 319.6 | 363.6 | 216.2 | 197.6 |
2011/12 | • | 916 | 330.7 | 309.2 | 353.4 | 227.5 | 197.2 |
2012/13 | • | 760 | 271.3 | 252.0 | 291.7 | 202.2 | 189.4 |
2013/14 | • | 860 | 307.4 | 286.8 | 329.0 | 214.3 | 205.4 |
2014/15 | • | 650 | 237.7 | 219.5 | 257.0 | 197.2 | 192.6 |
2015/16 | • | 510 | 187.5 | 171.3 | 204.7 | 190.5 | 195.9 |
2016/17 | • | 765 | 277.6 | 257.9 | 298.2 | 195.0 | 184.5 |
2017/18 | • | 725 | 262.3 | 243.2 | 282.5 | 195.0 | 184.5 |
2018/19 | • | 685 | 246.1 | 227.7 | 265.5 | 206.8 | 194.8 |
2019/20 | • | 625 | 224.9 | 207.3 | 243.5 | 197.8 | 191.2 |
2020/21 | • | 570 | 209.2 | 192.2 | 227.3 | 174.0 | 180.4 |
2021/22 | • | 450 | 164.3 | 149.4 | 180.3 | 146.6 | 163.7 |
2022/23 | • | 415 | 148.5 | 134.4 | 163.7 | 120.6 | 126.3 |
Source: Office for Health Improvement and Disparities using NHS England Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) and Office for National Statistics (ONS) mid year population estimates
For those aged 10-24 years, but there is considerable year-on-year variability in the admission rate for self-harm although the rate has generally being decreasing between 2011/12 and 2022/23. Since 2014/15, the hospital admission rate for self-harm among those aged 10-24 years in Hull has been comparable to England and for five of the nine years since 2014/15, the rate in Hull has been statistically significantly lower in Hull compared to England.
For 2022/23, there were a total of 170 hospital admissions for intentional self-harm in Hull among young people aged 10-24 years.
For all ages as mentioned above, there were 415 emergency hospital admissions for self-harm. So it is not possible to estimate the percentage of self-harm admissions that are among those aged 10-24 years as the all ages indicator relates to emergency admissions and the indicator for ages 10-24 years relates to all admissions (non-emergency and emergency). However, if the number of non-emergency admissions for all ages are small, then this would suggest that at most 40% of admissions for self-harm are among those aged 10-24 years.
Compared with benchmark
Hospital admissions as a result of self-harm (10-24 years) (Persons 10-24 yrs)
Period
|
Kingston upon Hull |
Yorkshire and the Humber region (statistical)
|
England
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Count
|
Value
|
95%
Lower CI |
95%
Upper CI |
||||
2011/12 | • | 325 | 556.1 | 496.4 | 621.0 | 386.4 | 347.4 |
2012/13 | • | 245 | 427.9 | 375.2 | 485.9 | 344.1 | 349.0 |
2013/14 | • | 305 | 557.3 | 495.3 | 624.8 | 396.1 | 414.6 |
2014/15 | • | 210 | 400.0 | 346.8 | 459.0 | 369.2 | 400.7 |
2015/16 | • | 155 | 290.8 | 245.8 | 341.5 | 387.3 | 429.3 |
2016/17 | • | 220 | 413.3 | 359.6 | 472.7 | 404.3 | 405.3 |
2017/18 | • | 220 | 414.7 | 360.6 | 474.5 | 407.3 | 419.0 |
2018/19 | • | 190 | 359.8 | 309.7 | 415.6 | 428.2 | 441.7 |
2019/20 | • | 175 | 333.3 | 285.2 | 387.1 | 416.3 | 436.1 |
2020/21 | • | 185 | 364.1 | 313.1 | 421.1 | 364.0 | 421.2 |
2021/22 | • | 155 | 308.1 | 261.4 | 360.7 | 320.5 | 426.7 |
2022/23 | • | 170 | 331.6 | 283.6 | 385.4 | 254.8 | 319.0 |
Source: NHS England
Suicides and Undetermined Injury
The Office for Health Improvement & Disparities’ Fingertips presents information on the directly age standardised mortality rate from suicide (10+ years) and undetermined intent (15+ years) among those aged 10+ years. Rates are given as deaths registered within the specified years per 100,000 population standardised to the European Standard Population.
For deaths registered over the three years 2021-23, the mortality rate from suicide and undetermined intent in Hull was 21% higher than England but the difference was not statistically significant (22% higher among men and 7% higher among women).
Compared with benchmark
Indicator | Period | England | Yorkshire and the Humber region (statistical) | Kingston upon Hull | East Riding of Yorkshire | North East Lincolnshire | North Lincolnshire | York | North Yorkshire UA | Barnsley | Doncaster | Rotherham | Sheffield | Bradford | Calderdale | Kirklees | Leeds | Wakefield |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Suicide rate (Persons 10+ yrs) | 2021 - 23 | 10.7 | 12.3 | 13.0 | 12.4 | 10.9 | 9.5 | 9.7 | 12.2 | 14.2 | 14.9 | 12.6 | 9.2 | 10.8 | 17.6 | 12.2 | 11.6 | 16.7 |
Suicide rate (Male 10+ yrs) | 2021 - 23 | 16.4 | 18.5 | 20.1 | 18.1 | 16.8 | 14.1 | 15.5 | 20.0 | 22.7 | 21.1 | 17.3 | 12.6 | 16.6 | 30.9 | 18.1 | 16.9 | 24.8 |
Suicide rate (Female 10+ yrs) | 2021 - 23 | 5.4 | 6.3 | 5.8 | 7.1 | 5.2 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 6.1 | 8.8 | 8.1 | 6.1 | 5.2 | 5.0 | 6.6 | 6.7 | 8.8 |
Indicator | Period | England | Yorkshire and the Humber region (statistical) | Kingston upon Hull | East Riding of Yorkshire | North East Lincolnshire | North Lincolnshire | York | North Yorkshire UA | Barnsley | Doncaster | Rotherham | Sheffield | Bradford | Calderdale | Kirklees | Leeds | Wakefield |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Suicide rate (Persons 10+ yrs) | 2021 - 23 | 10.7 | 12.3 | 13.0 | 12.4 | 10.9 | 9.5 | 9.7 | 12.2 | 14.2 | 14.9 | 12.6 | 9.2 | 10.8 | 17.6 | 12.2 | 11.6 | 16.7 |
Suicide rate (Male 10+ yrs) | 2021 - 23 | 16.4 | 18.5 | 20.1 | 18.1 | 16.8 | 14.1 | 15.5 | 20.0 | 22.7 | 21.1 | 17.3 | 12.6 | 16.6 | 30.9 | 18.1 | 16.9 | 24.8 |
Suicide rate (Female 10+ yrs) | 2021 - 23 | 5.4 | 6.3 | 5.8 | 7.1 | 5.2 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 6.1 | 8.8 | 8.1 | 6.1 | 5.2 | 5.0 | 6.6 | 6.7 | 8.8 |
For men and women combined, the mortality rate from suicide and undetermined intent in Hull has ranged from 11.3 deaths per 100,000 population to 14.6 deaths per 100,000 population for deaths registered between 2001-03 and 2021-23. Between 2017-19 and 2020-21, there had been three years of decrease in Hull, but the rate has increased in the last year to 13.0 deaths per 100,000 population which is relatively high.
Over the three year period 2021-23, there were 93 deaths that were registered which were classified as suicides or deaths from undetermined intent among Hull residents with over three-quarters of those deaths among men (77%).
Compared with benchmark
Suicide rate (Persons 10+ yrs)
Period
|
Kingston upon Hull |
Yorkshire and the Humber region (statistical)
|
England
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Count
|
Value
|
95%
Lower CI |
95%
Upper CI |
||||
2001 - 03 | • | 82 | 12.4 | 9.8 | 15.5 | 10.0 | 10.3 |
2002 - 04 | • | 91 | 13.6 | 10.9 | 16.8 | 10.2 | 10.2 |
2003 - 05 | • | 98 | 14.6 | 11.8 | 17.8 | 10.4 | 10.1 |
2004 - 06 | • | 93 | 13.9 | 11.2 | 17.1 | 10.2 | 9.8 |
2005 - 07 | • | 89 | 13.5 | 10.8 | 16.7 | 9.7 | 9.4 |
2006 - 08 | • | 81 | 12.4 | 9.8 | 15.5 | 9.4 | 9.2 |
2007 - 09 | • | 90 | 13.8 | 11.0 | 17.0 | 9.4 | 9.3 |
2008 - 10 | • | 75 | 11.3 | 8.9 | 14.3 | 9.0 | 9.4 |
2009 - 11 | • | 78 | 12.0 | 9.5 | 15.1 | 9.0 | 9.5 |
2010 - 12 | • | 76 | 11.8 | 9.3 | 14.8 | 9.6 | 9.5 |
2011 - 13 | • | 83 | 12.9 | 10.3 | 16.1 | 10.4 | 9.8 |
2012 - 14 | • | 83 | 12.3 | 9.8 | 15.3 | 10.3 | 10.0 |
2013 - 15 | • | 81 | 11.9 | 9.4 | 14.8 | 10.7 | 10.1 |
2014 - 16 | • | 92 | 13.1 | 10.5 | 16.1 | 10.4 | 9.9 |
2015 - 17 | • | 95 | 13.7 | 11.0 | 16.8 | 10.4 | 9.5 |
2016 - 18 | • | 95 | 13.6 | 11.0 | 16.6 | 10.7 | 9.6 |
2017 - 19 | • | 97 | 14.1 | 11.4 | 17.3 | 12.0 | 10.0 |
2018 - 20 | • | 90 | 12.9 | 10.3 | 15.9 | 12.5 | 10.3 |
2019 - 21 | • | 90 | 12.7 | 10.2 | 15.6 | 12.6 | 10.4 |
2020 - 22 | • | 84 | 11.8 | 9.4 | 14.7 | 12.1 | 10.3 |
2021 - 23 | • | 93 | 13.0 | 10.4 | 15.9 | 12.3 | 10.7 |
Source: Office for National Statistics
The mortality rate from suicide and undetermined injury among Hull men has been consistently higher than England although the latest rate is not statistically significantly higher in Hull.
Compared with benchmark
Suicide rate (Male 10+ yrs)
Period
|
Kingston upon Hull |
Yorkshire and the Humber region (statistical)
|
England
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Count
|
Value
|
95%
Lower CI |
95%
Upper CI |
||||
2001 - 03 | • | 65 | 19.4 | 14.9 | 25.0 | 15.7 | 15.9 |
2002 - 04 | • | 64 | 18.7 | 14.2 | 24.0 | 15.9 | 15.6 |
2003 - 05 | • | 73 | 21.4 | 16.6 | 27.1 | 15.9 | 15.4 |
2004 - 06 | • | 69 | 20.1 | 15.5 | 25.6 | 15.8 | 15.1 |
2005 - 07 | • | 69 | 20.6 | 15.9 | 26.2 | 15.3 | 14.5 |
2006 - 08 | • | 59 | 17.9 | 13.5 | 23.3 | 15.2 | 14.4 |
2007 - 09 | • | 68 | 20.5 | 15.8 | 26.1 | 15.2 | 14.5 |
2008 - 10 | • | 56 | 16.5 | 12.4 | 21.6 | 14.4 | 14.6 |
2009 - 11 | • | 61 | 18.3 | 13.9 | 23.7 | 14.3 | 14.7 |
2010 - 12 | • | 57 | 17.5 | 13.1 | 22.7 | 15.2 | 14.8 |
2011 - 13 | • | 66 | 20.5 | 15.8 | 26.2 | 16.9 | 15.5 |
2012 - 14 | • | 65 | 19.3 | 14.8 | 24.7 | 16.8 | 15.8 |
2013 - 15 | • | 65 | 18.9 | 14.5 | 24.2 | 17.2 | 15.8 |
2014 - 16 | • | 72 | 20.0 | 15.6 | 25.3 | 16.5 | 15.4 |
2015 - 17 | • | 75 | 21.3 | 16.7 | 26.7 | 16.4 | 14.7 |
2016 - 18 | • | 72 | 20.3 | 15.8 | 25.7 | 16.8 | 14.9 |
2017 - 19 | • | 72 | 21.3 | 16.5 | 26.9 | 18.4 | 15.6 |
2018 - 20 | • | 68 | 19.7 | 15.1 | 25.1 | 19.3 | 16.0 |
2019 - 21 | • | 71 | 20.3 | 15.7 | 25.8 | 19.0 | 16.0 |
2020 - 22 | • | 65 | 18.3 | 14.1 | 23.4 | 18.3 | 15.8 |
2021 - 23 | • | 72 | 20.1 | 15.7 | 25.4 | 18.5 | 16.4 |
Source: Office for National Statistics
From a high of 8.6 deaths per 100,000 population in 2002-04, the mortality rate from suicide and undetermined injury among Hull women has decreased. The rate reached a low of 4.7 deaths per 100,000 population in 2013-15, but increased to 7.1 deaths per 100,000 population for 2017-19. The rate in Hull decreased slightly over the next two years but has increased again to 5.8 deaths per 100,000 population for 2020-22.
Compared with benchmark
Suicide rate (Female 10+ yrs)
Period
|
Kingston upon Hull |
Yorkshire and the Humber region (statistical)
|
England
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Count
|
Value
|
95%
Lower CI |
95%
Upper CI |
||||
2001 - 03 | • | 17 | 5.4 | 3.1 | 8.6 | 4.8 | 5.1 |
2002 - 04 | • | 27 | 8.6 | 5.6 | 12.5 | 4.9 | 5.2 |
2003 - 05 | • | 25 | 7.7 | 5.0 | 11.5 | 5.2 | 5.2 |
2004 - 06 | • | 24 | 7.5 | 4.8 | 11.2 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
2005 - 07 | • | 20 | 6.3 | 3.8 | 9.8 | 4.5 | 4.6 |
2006 - 08 | • | 22 | 6.9 | 4.3 | 10.6 | 4.1 | 4.4 |
2007 - 09 | • | 22 | 7.1 | 4.4 | 10.7 | 3.9 | 4.4 |
2008 - 10 | • | 19 | 6.0 | 3.6 | 9.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 |
2009 - 11 | • | 17 | 5.5 | 3.2 | 8.8 | 4.0 | 4.5 |
2010 - 12 | • | 19 | 6.1 | 3.6 | 9.5 | 4.2 | 4.4 |
2011 - 13 | • | 17 | 5.4 | 3.1 | 8.7 | 4.2 | 4.4 |
2012 - 14 | • | 18 | 5.3 | 3.1 | 8.4 | 4.1 | 4.5 |
2013 - 15 | • | 16 | 4.7 | 2.6 | 7.6 | 4.6 | 4.7 |
2014 - 16 | • | 20 | 5.7 | 3.5 | 8.9 | 4.6 | 4.8 |
2015 - 17 | • | 20 | 5.8 | 3.5 | 9.1 | 4.8 | 4.6 |
2016 - 18 | • | 23 | 6.7 | 4.2 | 10.0 | 4.8 | 4.6 |
2017 - 19 | • | 25 | 7.1 | 4.5 | 10.5 | 5.9 | 4.8 |
2018 - 20 | • | 22 | 6.3 | 3.9 | 9.6 | 6.1 | 4.9 |
2019 - 21 | • | 19 | 5.3 | 3.2 | 8.3 | 6.5 | 5.1 |
2020 - 22 | • | 19 | 5.5 | 3.3 | 8.6 | 6.1 | 5.2 |
2021 - 23 | • | 21 | 5.8 | 3.6 | 8.9 | 6.3 | 5.4 |
Source: Office for National Statistics
Local Suicide Audits
There are ongoing audits of local suicide deaths with the intention of learning lessons and reducing future risk. Recent annual reviews of suicide deaths among Hull residents from the Hull and East Riding Coroner’s data, have shown the following findings:
- From 2016 to 2019, 131 suicides were registered by the Coroner for Hull residents. Numbers have been reducing for the last 3 years but have increased again in 2019.
- The gender split was 79% : 21% (103/28) male / female (national gender split 75% : 25%, so Hull men, relative to females, are slightly more at risk than nationally).
- There was a wide age range 14-96 years; the most at risk age group is 35-49 years (37% of all cases), followed by 20-34 years (31% of cases) and then 50-64 years (20%) with 9% of cases aged over 65 years.
- A total of 15 suicide cases in people 25 years and under were registered between 2016 and 2019.
- Hanging (59%) at home is the most common method, exactly consistent with the national picture. This continues to pose a great challenge to suicide reduction measures.
- For deaths occurring since 2015, the Humber Bridge falls account for 7% of cases. It is 13% if all registered deaths since 2016 are counted which includes historic cases where the actual deaths occurred as far back as 1982.
- The residence of cases shows a greater concentration in the west of city and an association with greater deprivation.
- Isolation and worklessness are common features – 77% of cases were single, divorced, separated or widowed; 50% lived alone and 58% were retired or not employed at the time of death.
The key risk factors seen in the 91 cases analysed for 2017-19 were:
- 80% mental health problems, of which 32% were in touch with secondary care mental health services;
- 39% had had previous suicide attempts and/or self-harm;
- 30% had substance treatment needs;
- 28% had relationship/family problems;
- 16% had alcohol treatment needs;
- 16% had poor physical health;
- 15% had work problems;
- 13% had debt/financial problems;
- 12% had criminal justice issues; and
- 5% had housing issues.
Eight in ten of the 91 cases had at least two of these key risk factors.
Strategic Need and Service Provision
Suicide prevention involves a multi-factorial approach as the causes and reasons why people consider taking their own lives are complex. There is an increased risk with male gender, deprivation and poverty, and among those living with mental health problems in particular depression, anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Unemployment, debt, problems with relationships, drug and alcohol use, child abuse, and a wide range of other factors can have an influence, as is shown in the graph of risk factors below.
There is a requirement for all local authorities to develop and implement a local suicide prevention plan which should include provision for bereaved families (postvention support).
In March 2020 the Hull Mental Health Task and Finish Partnership Group refreshed the multi-agency Emotional Wellbeing and Suicide Prevention Action Plan (EWSPAP) and its associated annual delivery plans. The EWSPAP is structured around 4 domains:
- Children, Young People and Families.
- Workplace and Employability.
- Communities and Citizens.
- Suicide Prevention.
With 4 cross-cutting themes to capture key activity:
- Data, Intelligence and Evidence.
- System Change and Service Development.
- Communications, Marketing and Media.
- Training and Workforce Development.
Under the suicide prevention domain in year 1, there are plans to:
- Consult on and roll out a programme of training across organisations and the wider community, including phase two of the Talk Suicide campaign.
- Coordinate a campaign with Substance Treatment Service clients as a high risk group.
- Have discussions with local print and online media on sensitive approaches in reporting of suicide.
- Pilot and evaluate a Postvention service to support those bereaved by suicide.
- Pilot and evaluate processes for gathering and using real-time data.
- Undertake qualitative research to inform the approach to support people who have self-harmed, understand current provision and benchmark against best practice.
Progress against the EWSPAP and associated annual delivery plans will be regularly reported to the Hull Health and Wellbeing Board.
In 2020, a Real Time Surveillance was introduced in Hull to inform timely follow-up and suicide prevention activities. Before the commencement of the Real Time Surveillance in Hull, we relied on waiting for the coroner’s conclusions and annual suicide audits to drive suicide prevention work, however, there is an emerging argument for shifting effort to collating case information via the Real Time Surveillance processes.
Resources
The Office for Health Improvement & Disparities’ Fingertips: https://fingertips.phe.org.uk
Hull Annual Suicide Reviews
Cerel J, Brown M, Maple M, Singleton M, Van De Venne J, Moore M and Flahert C (2018). How many people are exposed to suicide? Not six. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behaviour. doi:10.1111/sltb.12450. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29512876/
Hull Emotional Wellbeing and Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2020
Online suicide prevention training (Zero Suicide Alliance)
The Journey to Suicide Statistics (Samaritans Video)
https://youtu.be/ycaDkhTCZB0Updates
This page was last updated / checked on 7 October 2024.
This page is due to be updated / checked in February 2025.