Rethink - Fewer mental illness homicides

Wednesday, 7 July 2010 12:00 AM

In response to today's publication of the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness, Paul Jenkins, chief executive of mental health charity Rethink, said:

"The reduction in the number of homicides by people affected by mental illness is welcome news. We hope it will go some way towards influencing more accurate assessment - and media reporting - of the link between violence and mental illness.

"The media often exaggerates the likelihood of homicide by a person with schizophrenia, when it is in fact very rare. As these new figures show, just 6% of all homicides are carried out by a person with schizophrenia. The statistics mean that you're more likely to be struck by lightning than killed by someone with schizophrenia.

"The reality is that people with schizophrenia are far more likely to harm themselves than to hurt anyone else. Sadly, this inquiry shows that the number of people with a mental illness who take their own lives is still very high, even when they are supposed to be receiving help from mental health services. It is unacceptable that in 2007, 62 of the most vulnerable patients died while in hospital - somewhere that is meant to be a safe place for them to recover."

Katie Leason
PR Manager
Rethink

Direct line: 020 7840 3138
Press Office: 020 7840 3146
Email: katie.leason@rethink.org
Fax: 020 7820 1149

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Registered in England Number 1227970. Registered charity no. 271028. Registered Office 89 Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7TP. Rethink is the operating name of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship, a company limited by guarantee.

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