Thursday, 06 Sep 2007 00:01
6,045 people committed suicide in the UK and Ireland in 2005
About one million people have died worldwide by committing suicide in the last year, it has been claimed.
Samaritans says that the figure is higher than the number of deaths caused by war, terrorism and other forms of violence combined.
According to the charity suicide claims a life across the world every 40 seconds while 20 attempted suicide bids are made every minute.
"Suicide rates remain too high and Samaritans' vision is for a society in which fewer people die by suicide," a statement, released to coincide with the World Health Organisation-endorsed World Suicide Prevention Day, said.
Samaritans' own figures also reveal that in 2005 there were 6,045 suicides in the UK and Ireland.
Although suicide rates have fallen 9.5 per cent over the last decade, the charity warns that among certain age groups – including 15 to 24-year-old males – the number of suicides is going up.
"Suicide is a worldwide issue affecting people of all age groups from adolescents and young adults right through to older adults," said Andrew Lockley of Samaritans' Walsall branch.
"By being able to talk confidentially about the emotional issues affecting them at difficult times, many people can find the strength to carry on and find a way forward."