Chapter 3 - Health
                                         
Table 3.5 Suicide and open verdict and awaiting verdict deaths in the UK Regular Armed Forces: by
                     Service and gender, numbers, 1984-2008
 
Verdict
 Total   Male   Female    
All Services
Suicide
 550   537   13  
 
Open
 168   163   5  
 
Awaiting
 28   26   2  
               
Naval Service
Suicide
 83   81   2  
 
Open
 37   36   1  
 
Awaiting
 2   2   -  
               
Army
Suicide
 341   335   6  
 
Open
 96   92   4  
 
Awaiting
 24   23   1  
               
RAF
Suicide
 126   121   5  
 
Open
 35   35   -  
 
Awaiting
 2   1   1  
Source: DASA (Health Information)  
 
Suicide and open verdict deaths in the UK Regular Armed Forces, by Service and gender, age standardised rates1,2,3, 1984-2008
The Naval Service age-standardised suicide rate peaked in 1985-1987 and in 1990-1992 at 14 per 100,000. It fell to 2 per 100,000 in 2006-2008.

The Army age-standardised suicide rate for males rose from 12 per 100,000 in 1984-1986 to 20 per 100,000 in 1995-1997; it fell to a low of 4 per 100,000 in 2006-2008.

The RAF age-standardised suicide rate for males also rose from 11 per 100,000 in 1984-1986 to 16 per 100,000 in 1991-1993. It fell to a low of 1 per 100,000 in 2006-2008.


1. Due to the small numbers involved when breaking down annual numbers of suicides, the data for this graph have been aggregated to give 3 year moving
    averages. This eliminates some of the random variation that can occur from year to year and provides a clearer picture of possible trends. Each year shown
    is the mid point of a 3 year period, e.g.. 1985 refers to 1984-1986.
2. Data points shown unfilled may change when information on waiting verdicts is received.
3. Standardised to the 2006 Armed Forces population.