Suicide and self-harm

Suicide is a major issue for society and a leading cause of years of life lost. For 2021, in England, 74% of suicides are men and male suicide rates are almost three times higher than the female rates. In England, the age group with the highest suicide rate is 50-54 years for males (22.5 per 100,000) and 45-49 for females (7.6 per 100,000). Overall, the suicide rates in England have increased compared to 2020: both male and female suicides have increased by 1% (Samaritans' Suicide Statistics 2021). 

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 (2020-22) show that:

• Between the period 2020-22 there were 403 deaths (22 fewer than in 2019-2021), with the cause of death identified as suicide, in the Lancashire-12 area. Of these 307 (-11) were male and 96 (-11) female. Over three quarters of suicides were males.
• Lancashire-12 area's suicide rate is significantly higher for all persons (12.5), males (19.4) when compared to England (10.3 and 15.8 respectively). For females the Lancashire rate (5.9) is similar to England (5.2)
• Lancashire-12 area's suicide rate remains worse than the England rate since 2006-08.
• Suicide rate (all persons) in the following districts are significantly higher than the England rate (10.3): Preston (16.9), Chorley (14.8), Lancaster (14.2). The suicide rate in the other nine districts is similar to the England rate, with rates varying from 13.2 in Burnley to 8.7 in Pendle.
• Residents of Rossendale, Chorley and Preston account for over a 40% of the deaths from suicide and injury of undetermined intent in the Lancashire-12 area (162 of 403 deaths).
• In Blackpool, the suicide rate for all persons (16.4) is significantly higher than the England rate – the rate for female deaths by suicide is the second worst in the country whilst for men it is similar.
• In Blackburn with Darwen, the suicide rate for all persons (11.9) 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) (2021/22):

• Lancashire-12 area (156.0) is significantly better than England (163.9), while the two unitary authorities, Blackpool (274.7) and Blackburn with Darwen (212.8) are both significantly higher than England.
• In line with the national picture, Lancashire-12 area's female rate (205.5) is higher than the male rate (108.2); male rate is similar to the England rate (109.2) and female rate is lower than the England rate (220.1).
• At a district level, Burnley (227.6), Rossendale (216.5) and Hyndburn (194.3) have significantly higher rates than England.
• Lancaster (141.5), South Ribble (138.7), Wyre (131.4), Fylde (126.8) and Preston (124.9) have significantly lower rates than England and the other four districts have similar rates to England.

Rate per 100,000 of the population (all persons, children and young people) (2021/22):

• Lancashire-12 area's rate (502.7) in children aged 10-14 years is significantly higher than the England rate (307.1).
• Lancashire-12 area's rate (472.3) in children and young persons aged 15-19 years is significantly lower than the England rate (641.7).
• Lancashire-12 area's rate (261.1) in young persons aged 20-24 years is significantly lower than the England rate (340.9).
• For all three age groups, in line with the national picture, the rate is higher in females than males.

  For county and unitary data and further information please see below.

Page updated March 2023