Suicide and self-harm

Suicide is a major issue for society and a leading cause of years of life lost. For 2022, in England, 74.6% of suicides are men and male suicide rates are three times higher than the female rates. In England, the age group with the highest suicide rate is 50-54 years for males (23.1 per 100,000) and 50-54 for females (7.7 per 100,000). Overall, the suicide rates in England remained the same as the previous year (2021). (Samaritans' Latest Suicide Statistics). 

Key findings

Deaths from suicide and injury of undetermined intent

Unless specified, the rates below are per 100,000 of the population (aged 10+) and the most recent published data (2020-22) show that:

• Between the period 2020-22 there were 403 deaths (22 fewer than in 2019-2021), with the cause of death identified as suicide, in the Lancashire-12 area. Of these 307 (-11) were male and 96 (-11) female. Over three quarters of suicides were males.
• Lancashire-12 area's suicide rate is significantly higher for all persons (12.5), males (19.4) when compared to England (10.3 and 15.8 respectively). For females the Lancashire rate (5.9) is similar to England (5.2)
• Lancashire-12 area's suicide rate remains worse than the England rate since 2006-08.
• Suicide rate (all persons) in the following districts are significantly higher than the England rate (10.3): Preston (16.9), Chorley (14.8), Lancaster (14.2). The suicide rate in the other nine districts is similar to the England rate, with rates varying from 13.2 in Burnley to 8.7 in Pendle.
• Residents of Rossendale, Chorley and Preston account for over a 40% of the deaths from suicide and injury of undetermined intent in the Lancashire-12 area (162 of 403 deaths).
• In Blackpool, the suicide rate for all persons (16.4) is significantly higher than the England rate – the rate for female deaths by suicide is the second worst in the country whilst for men it is similar.
• In Blackburn with Darwen, the suicide rate for all persons (11.9) is similar to the England rate.

Emergency hospital admissions for intentional self-harm

Self-harm is an expression of personal distress and there are varied reasons for a person to harm themselves irrespective of the purpose of the act. There is a significant and persistent risk of future suicide following an episode of self-harm.

Rate per 100,000 of the population (all persons, all ages) (2022/23):

• The rate of emergency hospital admissions for intentional self-harm in Lancashire-12 are similar to England at 123.7 (E=126.3), trend data shows this is declining locally and nationally. Blackpool (184.6) and Blackburn with Darwen (145.1) have significantly higher rates, but again, trend data shows this is declining.
• In line with the national picture, Lancashire-12 area's female rate (173.3) is higher than the male rate (75.7); the male rate is lower than the England rate (E=85.8) whilst the female rate is similar (E=168).
• At a district level, Burnley (197.2), Hyndburn (181.6), and Rossendale (162.9) all have significantly higher rates of self-harm admissions when compared with England.
• Meanwhile Preston (100.8) and Ribble Valley (80.3) have rate that are significantly lower than England. The remaining 7 district rates are statistically similar to England.

Rate per 100,000 of the population (all persons, children, and young people) (2022/23):

• Overall Lancashire-12's rate of self-harm hospital admissions in children and young people aged 10-24 years is significantly higher than England at 353.6 (E=319), trend data shows that this is declining.
• Rates of self harm admissions are significantly lower than England for 15-19 year olds (L-12=396.2, E=468.2) and 20-24 year olds (L-12=167.7, E=244.4), and both are seeing a decline.
• However, for children aged 10-14 years old self harm admissions are significantly worse (higher) in Lancashire-12 than seen for England (L-12=511.1, E=251.2) and trend data for Lancashire shows there is no significant change to this.
• Inequalities data show that rates are higher for females for 10-14 year olds and 15-19 year olds whilst rates in 20-24 year olds are statistically similar.
• In 10-14 year olds female self harm admissions are 10 times higher than for males (F=951.5, M=90.8), whilst for 15-19 year olds the female rate of admissions is around 7 times higher than for males (F=704, M=104.6)

  For county and unitary data and further information please see below.

Page updated May 2024