Method of suicide

On this page:

• Common methods of suicide
• Main suicide methods by mental health patients in the UK and Jersey

Common methods of suicide

The most common methods of suicide were:

• hanging/strangulation (9,164, 49%);
• self-poisoning (4,098, 22%);
• jumping/multiple injuries (2,423, 13%).

Hanging/strangulation increased by 14% during 2012-2022, especially after 2017 when the standard of proof for suicide was lowered. The increase was especially seen in women, from an average of 39% of all female deaths in 2012-2015 to 46% in 2019-2022. The number of deaths by jumping/multiple injuries has fallen by 30% in 2013-2020 but we are estimating an increase in 2021-2022.

The number of self-poisoning deaths fell in 2014 but has risen by 21% between 2015 and 2020, though we are estimating a fall in 2021-2022. Overall, opiates (including opioid compounds) were the most common substances used, accounting for a third (1,123, 33%) of deaths by self-poisoning, though the number of deaths using opiates or opioids fell by 44% between 2012 and 2021.

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Main suicide methods by mental health patients in the UK and Jersey

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