Suicide accounted for 4,315 deaths in the UK in 1995, approximately 12 people per day. A further 2,185 deaths in 1995 were recorded as undetermined deaths where the intention of the people concerned to kill themselves was unclear. This brought the total to 6,500 suicides and undetermined deaths in 1995 or nearly 18 people every day. Suicide rates reached a peak in 1963 and have largely been decreasing since. There has however been an increase in suicides among young men in the 1980's.
Suicide is responsible for more deaths per year than road traffic accidents.
Nearly three times more men than women kill themselves every year. Suicide rates also very with age. Suicide is the second most common cause of death in men under 45 and in women between the ages of 25 and 44. The highest suicide rates have consistently been found among older people, particularly men over 85. 6. All forms of mental illness or mental health problems carry an increased risk of suicide, the most common being depression and schizophrenia.