Suicide in England and Wales, 1975–1984

Abstract

An investigation of the suicide rate in the decade 1975-1984 in England and Wales revealed an increase in rate for males of all ages, and a small decrease for young females. The increase for males has been greatest in the 25-54 years group. There has been a decrease in the number of suicides by poisoning with solids and liquids (including overdoses) for both sexes. Rates for poisoning by vehicle exhaust gas and by hanging, strangulation and suffocation have increased substantially during this period. In males, suicides by these methods now exceed those due to poisoning by solids and liquids.