The Problem

•  Suicide is the greatest cause of death amongst young men in the UK as well as many young women too.

•  The World Health Organisation state that on average around 3000 people a day die by suicide that is 1 every 30    seconds. For every person who succeeds there are 20 more attempts.

•  The National Statistics O ffice reports that in 2006 in the UK there were 5554 suicides which amounts to about 15 a    day, which is considerably more than road traffic accidents. Furthermore, this figure is almost certainly understated    when you take into account coroners' natural reluctance to assign verdicts of suicide, particularly where there is any    doubt involved.

•  Suicide amongst young people is an epidemic not just in the UK but is also a dreadful problem in the USA, Australia    and Eastern Europe.

•  Estimates suggest that worldwide, suicide fatalities could rise to 1.5 million by 2020.

•  In all countries, suicide is now one of the three leading causes of death among people aged 15 - 34 years

•  There is still so much which is not understood about depression and the treatment that so many need is hindered by    the stigma attached to mental illness.

•  More people seek specialist help for mental health each year than they do for cancer.