
Recent updates on the suicide rates show a good trend of decline in the number of suicides. Yet, more needs to be done, for the government to realize its goal of scaling down the suicide rates by 20 % within the year 2010.
Department Of Health has enabled some Statistics which portray that in 1995 the rate of suicide was 9.2 per 100,000 and in 2004 it had dropped to 8.56 deaths per 100,000. It was observed that men in the age group of 30- 39 committed the most suicides, while rates of suicide among women were four times lesser when compared to men.
Professor Louis Appleby, national director for mental health, has said that the difference in the suicide rates can be attributed to better mental health care and adequate follow up with the patients post discharge. In his words, "Whilst these figures are positive, we must work hard to ensure that this downward trend continues. Changes in the suicide rate reflect the mental health of the community and every action we take to improve mental health services will help reduce these figures further."