Suicide: key points

• There were 838 deaths by suicide in Scotland in 2007 (deaths from intentional self harm and events of undetermined intent). This equates to an age-standardised rate of 15.9 per 100,000 population per year.
  
• Based on three-year rolling averages there was a 13% fall in suicide rates between 2000-02 and 2005-07.
  
• In 2007, the suicide rate for males was around three times that for females.
  
• Suicide is a leading cause of mortality in those under the age of 35 years.
  
• Suicide rates in the most deprived areas of Scotland were double the Scottish average.
  
• Scottish rates vary across health board and local authority areas.
  
• Between 1998-02 and 2003-07, the suicide crude rate per 100,000 decreased in 10 of the 14 NHS Boards and in 24 of the 32 local authorities.
  
• Scotland’s suicide rate is higher than rates in other parts of the UK.
  
• Based on three-year rolling averages, there has been an overall fall in suicide rates in Scotland between 2000-02 and 2005-07, particularly for males.  However, these rates have shown little change since 2003-05.  
  
• Choose Life – Scotland’s national suicide prevention strategy and action plan – was launched in December 2002. The ten year strategy identifies key objectives and target groups for action.