Suicide 'Is Biggest Killer of Young Men In UK'

Suicide is now the biggest cause of death among young men in Britain, a charity has warned.

Three young men commit suicide every day in the UK, according to the latest figures.

More young men die each day as a result of suicide than road accidents, HIV and violent assault combined, said the Campaign Against Living Miserably.

The suicide rate rose significantly in 2011, with a total of 6,045 people taking their own lives, of whom 4,552 were men.

The highest rate was in the male age bracket 30 to 44 (23.5 deaths per 100,000 people in 2011), with the recession thought to have played a part in many deaths.

According to the data, the suicide rate in males aged 45 to 59 also increased significantly, reaching 22.2 deaths per 100,000 people.

There were 1,242 suicides of men aged 15-35 in the UK the same year, compared with 377 women of the same age.

"The reasons for suicide are complex and often very individual," said Jane Powell of CALM. "The economic climate and social factors such as insecurities around work and housing, social isolation and substance misuse are felt particularly strongly in this group."

A "cultural barrier" prevented men from seeking professional help to deal with their emotional problems, she said.

Research by the University of Liverpool showed the current recession had caused about 1,000 additional suicides in England - 846 among men and 155 among women.

The analysis showed that increases in male unemployment were associated with about two-fifths of the rises in suicides among men.

A study by the Samaritans concluded that "you are far more likely to die by suicide if you are of low socio-economic position and a man", and attributed its findings to "the way society expects men to behave".

Anyone suffering emotional distress or feeling suicidal can call CALM on 0800 585858 or the Samaritans on 08457 909090.