Suicide and self-harm

Suicide is a major issue for society and a leading cause of years of life lost. For 2023, in England, the suicide rate increased from the previous year (2022), the North West has seen the biggest increase in rates from 2022 to 2023. The male suicide rate was three times higher than the female rates and males aged 45-49 years were found to have the highest rate of suicide at 25.3 per 100,000. 

(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 (2021-23) show that:

• Between the period 2021-23 there were 458 deaths registered, with the cause of death identified as suicide, in the Lancashire-12 area. Of these 345 were male and 113 were female. Over three quarters of suicides were males.
• Lancashire-12 area's suicide rate is significantly higher than England for all persons (14.2), males (21.9), and females (6.8) when compared to England (10.7, 16.4, and 5.4 respectively).
• Lancashire's suicide rate for all persons is the 22^nd out of 153 upper tier local authorities in England. Lancashire-12 area's suicide rate remains worse than the England rate as has been the case since 2006-08.
• For the period 2020-22 the estimated years of life lost to suicide (all persons, 15-74 years) in Lancashire was 45 years, which is significantly higher than for England (34.1).
• Suicide rate (all persons) in the following districts are significantly higher than the England rate (10.7): Lancaster (17.8), Preston (17.8), and Burnley (17.4). 
• The deaths that occurred in Lancaster, Preston, and Burnley accounted for nearly 40% of the registered deaths from suicide in Lancashire for the specified period totalling 176 out of 458 deaths.
• Similarly to Lancashire, in Blackpool, the suicide rate for all persons (16.7) is significantly higher than the England rate – Blackpool's suicide rate is 7^th out of all UTLAs. In Blackburn with Darwen, the suicide rate for all persons (12.0) 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) (2023/24):

• The rate of emergency hospital admissions for intentional self-harm in Lancashire-12 are similar to England at 114.0 (E=117.0), trend data shows this is declining locally and nationally. Blackpool (193.0) has a significantly higher rat of admissions than England whilst Blackburn with Darwen (99.1) has a significantly lower rate, again, trend data shows this is declining.
• In line with the national picture, Lancashire-12 area's female rate (151.1) is higher than the male rate (78.6); both rates are statistically similar to the England rates (M – 83.6, F – 149.6).
• At a district level, Chorley (144.3) and Burnley (142.4) both have rates of admissions that are significantly higher than the England rate. Meanwhile Rossendale (82.2), Pendle (80.9), and Ribble Valley (55.2) all have statistically significantly lower rates.
• All districts show a declining trend for admissions bar Fylde which has seen no significant change in the five year period

Rate per 100,000 of the population (all persons, children, and young people) (2023/24):

• Overall Lancashire-12's rate of hospital admissions as a result of self-harm in children and young people aged 10-24 years in 2023/24 (308.3) is significantly higher than England (266.6), trend data shows that both are declining.
• In the districts, admissions are significantly higher than observed for England in Fylde (447.1), Burnley (432.8), South Ribble (379.6), and West Lancashire (377), and significantly lower than England in Ribble Valley (160.0).

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

• The rate of hospital admissions as a result of self-harm for 10-14 year olds in Lancashire in 2022/23 (511.1) is significantly worse than for England (251.2), the Lancashire rate is twice as high as observed for England. Trend data for Lancashire shows there is no significant change to this.
• Whilst nationally rates of admissions are highest for the 15-19 age group this is not the case locally, 10-14 year olds have the highest rate of admissions in Lancashire.
• 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.
• Data show that rates of admissions in Lancashire are considerably higher for females age 10-14 years (951.5) and 15-19 years (704.0) than for males (90.8 and 104.6 respectively) whilst rates in 20-24 year olds for males and females are statistically similar to one another.
• 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 September 2025