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Centre for Suicide Research | About Us |
Suicide and attempted suicide (now usually termed 'deliberate self harm' or 'self harm' in the UK) are major problems in most countries in the world. There are more than 800,000 suicides per year worldwide. The number of episodes of deliberate self-harm is far greater. In the UK there are approximately 5000 suicides per year, and considerably more deaths from suicide than from road traffic accidents. The number of people presenting to hospitals following deliberate self harm episodes exceeds the number of suicides in most countries by at least 20 to one. In the UK there are an estimated 170,000 cases annually. This figure has increased substantially in recent years. Both suicide and deliberate self harm involve large numbers of young people, many in their teens. Prevention of suicidal behaviour is a major health care target for the UK Government, which in 2002 established a National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England. A separate prevention strategy has been established in Scotland. Suicide prevention is a high priority in an increasing number of other countries. The programme of work being conducted at the Centre for Suicide Research is aimed at increasing knowledge directly relevant to prevention of suicide and deliberate self harm.
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Scope of research
Our research encompasses both suicide and attempted suicide. The research programme includes epidemiological studies and investigation of the full range of the causes of suicidal behaviour - psychological, psychiatric, social and biological. We are especially interested in developing and evaluating effective methods of treating people after suicide attempts and preventing suicidal behaviour. We are also concerned with improving care for bereaved relatives and other people affected by suicide.
Objectives
These are to:
Conduct high quality research investigations that will:
a) Increase knowledge of the causes of suicidal behaviour
b) Provide evidence on the strategies that will reduce suicidal behaviour
c) Inform treatment provision for individuals who are at risk of suicide
or have made suicide attempts
Disseminate research findings that are relevant to prevention of suicidal
behaviour
Collaborate and interchange with other major centres internationally and
with other research groups in the UK
Provide training opportunities for research workers and students who wish
to develop research experience and skills relevant to suicide prevention
Specific areas for research
- Evaluation of suicide prevention strategies
- Monitoring trends in attempted suicide and suicide
- Psychological autopsy studies to identify the psychiatric and social
causes of suicide in specific subgroups (e.g. high risk occupational groups,
young people, older people)
- Deliberate self-harm and suicidal ideation in adolescents
- Genetic and other biological influences on deliberate self-harm
- Studies of suicide attempters, including survivors of serious suicide
attempts, to identify the psychological, social and biological causes
and correlates of suicidal behaviour
- Outcome following deliberate self-harm
- Economic costs of suicidal behaviour
- Media influences on suicidal behaviour
- Development and evaluation of specific treatments for suicide attempters
- Systematic reviews of the worldwide literature on clinical studies relevant to suicide prevention
National collaboration
- Involvement in the Steering Group for the National Suicide Prevention
Strategy for England
- With several other research groups in the United Kingdom
- Royal College of Psychiatrists Research Unit
- Annual Research Workshop on suicidal behaviour at Green College, Oxford,
organised by Professor Hawton, for the major research groups in the British
Isles
- Involvement in the Steering Group for the National Confidential Inquiry
into Suicide and Homicide in Psychiatric Patients
- Samaritans of United Kingdom and Ireland
International collaboration
- Other Suicide Research Centres Worldwide
- We have established liaison with several research centres in other
countries including Australia (Brisbane), Belgium (Gent), China (Beijing),
Denmark (Odense), Finland (Helsinki), Hong Kong, Ireland (Dublin and
Cork) and Northern Ireland, The Netherlands (Amsterdam and Leiden),
New Zealand (Christchurch), Scotland (Edinburgh), Sweden (Lund), and
the USA (New York). Professor Hawton is International Advisor to the
Beijing Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention in China and the
Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention in Hong Kong.
- We have established liaison with several research centres in other
countries including Australia (Brisbane), Belgium (Gent), China (Beijing),
Denmark (Odense), Finland (Helsinki), Hong Kong, Ireland (Dublin and
Cork) and Northern Ireland, The Netherlands (Amsterdam and Leiden),
New Zealand (Christchurch), Scotland (Edinburgh), Sweden (Lund), and
the USA (New York). Professor Hawton is International Advisor to the
Beijing Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention in China and the
Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention in Hong Kong.
- Suicidal Behaviour in Europe
- Oxford has been the UK centre in the WHO:Euro Multicentre Study
of Suicidal Behaviour, which began in 1989 and has been conducted
in more than 20 centres throughout Europe. Oxford is also a centre
in the European Network for Suicidology. Oxford is the UK centre in
the Child and Adolescent Self-harm in Europe (CASE) Study. This involves
investigation of the extent and nature of deliberate self-harm in
adolescents in the general population and collection of information
on children and adolescents presenting to clinical services following
deliberate self-harm.
- Oxford has been the UK centre in the WHO:Euro Multicentre Study
of Suicidal Behaviour, which began in 1989 and has been conducted
in more than 20 centres throughout Europe. Oxford is also a centre
in the European Network for Suicidology. Oxford is the UK centre in
the Child and Adolescent Self-harm in Europe (CASE) Study. This involves
investigation of the extent and nature of deliberate self-harm in
adolescents in the general population and collection of information
on children and adolescents presenting to clinical services following
deliberate self-harm.
- International Review Group for Evaluation of Studies of Treatment
and Prevention of Suicidal Behaviour
- We have established a group of international experts within the
Cochrane
Collaboration to conduct systematic reviews of research trials
on treatment and prevention of suicidal behaviour that can inform
strategies for prevention on a worldwide basis
- We have established a group of international experts within the
Cochrane
Collaboration to conduct systematic reviews of research trials
on treatment and prevention of suicidal behaviour that can inform
strategies for prevention on a worldwide basis
- The International Handbook of Suicide and Attempted Suicide
- A major handbook on suicidal behaviour worldwide has been edited by Professor Hawton and a colleague in Europe, including contributions from experts in Europe, North America, Australasia and the Far East
Sources of funding
We have been supported by:
- Department of Health and the National Health Service Executive for England
and Wales
- Medical Research Council
- South East Region (and Anglia and Oxford) NHSE Research and Development
Committee
- The Community Fund
- Oxford Research and Development Strategic Research Fund
- Oxford District Health Authority
- The Nuffield Trust
- European Union (WHO:Euro Multicentre Study of Suicidal Behaviour)
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
- Zeneca Agrochemicals
Advisory group
Professor Douglas Altman
Mr. Simon Armson
Dame Fiona Caldicott
Professor Guy Goodwin
Professor Muir Gray
Professor David Gunnell
Professor Kay Redfield Jamison (International Advisor)
Dr. Ann McPherson
Mr. Tony Purkis
Mrs. Vanda Scott (International Consultant)
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Advisory Group
Scope of Research
Objectives
Specific Areas of Research
National Collaboration
International Collaboration
Sources of Funding
