SUICIDES and cases of self-harming have significantly increased in the South West, a new report has revealed.

Numbers rose by 24% from 417 in 2007 to 515 in 2009, according to the findings by the South West Public Health Observatory today.

This follows a period of decline in suicide deaths following the publication of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy in 2002.

The report also found that there has been a large increase in the number of hospital admissions due to self-harm, from 6,271 in 2002/03 to 10,846 in 2008/09 – an increase of 73%.

The report, Suicide and Self-harm in the South West, recommends that the incidence of suicide is now closely monitored, that any areas where there are higher number of suicides are identified and that where necessary health, mental health and social care organisations should work together to reduce risk.

Men account for three-quarters of these deaths and those most at risk are men aged 35-44 and 85 and over.

There is also a clear link with deprivation, with suicide rates in the most deprived fifth of areas more than twice the rate in the least deprived areas.

The fastest rise of self-harming cases was in girls aged 15 to 24. Five percent of admissions for self harm were in people aged 65 and over.

Regional Director of Public Health, Dr Gabriel Scally said:“Together these statistics reveal suffering on a scale that should concern us all. It is vital that we work with a wide range of partners in health, mental health, social care and the third sector to reverse these trends.”