Work

Trends in methods of suicide among mental health patients between 2000 and 2022 in the UK: A joinpoint regression analysis

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Previous research has highlighted the importance of surveillance of suicide methods to identify emerging patterns and to support prevention strategies. However, research on methods in clinical populations is limited. We aimed to investigate trends in suicide methods by people who had been in contact with mental health services in the 12 months before death. Data were collected as part of the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Safety in Mental Health. We examined method-specific trends among psychiatric patients in the UK who died by suicide between 2000 and 2022 using an exploratory joinpoint regression analysis. Hanging/strangulation increased by 43.0% over the study period, or 1.9% per year, while cutting/stabbing increased by 88.9%, or 4.2% per year. Deaths by self-poisoning, drowning and gas inhalation decreased by 1.7%, 2.3% and 4.6% every year respectively. No significant trends were identified for deaths by jumping/multiple injuries. No changes overall were identified in the last three years of the study, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in patient suicide deaths by hanging/strangulation is of concern. Attention should be paid to the steady increase in deaths by cutting/stabbing. Our findings support the need for surveillance, including real-time surveillance, of emerging methods and continued efforts towards means restriction. • Research on suicide method-specific trends in mental health patients is limited. • Deaths by hanging/strangulation increased by 43% between 2000 and 2022. • Women had the highest average increase for hanging/strangulation. • A multi-disciplinary approach may be most effective in preventing deaths by hanging/strangulation. • Deaths by self-poisoning, drowning and gas inhalation decreased over the study period.

Source: Journal of Affective Disorders

DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2026.121367