The report covers deaths by suicide for the period January 1997 to December 2007, people convicted of homicide (homicide convictions) between January 1997 and December 2006 and sudden unexplained deaths (SUD) in psychiatric in-patients for the period March 1999 to December 2007.
Key findings from the report include:
- The rise in homicide reported in 2009 by people with psychosis or schizophrenia appears not to be continuing, although it is too early to confirm a downward trend in these figures.
- There has been no overall rise in patient homicides but increases have been found in sub-groups (young patients and patients with schizophrenia).
- Figures for schizophrenia need further monitoring before trends can be understood. There has been a possible recent fall in homicides by people with schizophrenia, but a higher proportion are patients.
- Previous rise in homicides
Steve Shrubb, Director of the Mental Health Network said “It is reassuring that the National Confidential Enquiry has found falling levels of suicides and homicides by people accessing mental health services for the latest year in which figures are available."
“We should also remember that only a small proportion of the people with severe mental illness are violent and most commonly this violence is against family and friends."
“While it is too early to say whether these figures are part of a longer term trend, we already know that, along with intervening early and coordinating services, tackling alcohol and drug misuse is a key part of preventing suicides and homicides."
The Annual Report in full is available to down load on the website of the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by people with Mental Illness.
Download the report.
Download the summary.